Transport Scotland is to look at the options for a footpath connecting Cammachmore with Newtonhill.
Councillor Ian Mollison explains: “I had approached Transport Scotland after being contacted by Cammachmore resident George Keith. I was aware of how difficult it is to cross the road safely, having done so myself on numerous occasions. I am pleased that the options are to be investigated. This is a step forward, though of course in these difficult financial times it is no guarantee of work taking place in the near future.”
Mr Keith said: “To cross the main road at any time in the early morning or late afternoon is hazardous in the extreme and takes a considerable time. As one who regularly walks this way to the shops or to visit friends and family the wait to find a reasonable time to cross is considerable and often hair-raising. The centre of our local community is Newtonhill and the growing population with young families are often forced to drive rather than walk purely on safety reasons.”
Councillor Mollison continued: “There are three solutions, with varying degrees of difficulty, which have been suggested.
“Firstly, a path from West Cammachmore southwards to a disused cattle underpass, which could be re-opened to lead to Newtonhill. The developers of Chapelton of Elsick hope to include a link from Newtonhill to their new town using the underpass, but that will be some years away.
“David, Lord Southesk from Elsick Estates has confirmed that they remain keen that the underpass should be available for residents of Newtonhill to use so that they can have easy access to the proposed country park and a connecting path to Chapelton itself.
“This would be the shortest route to construct. The underpass was last used as a temporary route for vehicles leaving Newtonhill and travelling north … it ceased to be used when the flyover was built.
“A second option is a path alongside the A90 from West Cammachmore southwards to the bus stop at the Newtonhill flyover. This is the simplest solution, though not the most direct between the two communities.
“Lastly, a wildcard option of a path alongside the Elsick burn under the A90 to Newtonhill.”
Transport Scotland chief executive David Middleton wrote: “We have instructed our operating company Bear Scotland to undertake a pedestrian movement survey at Cammachmore. The survey results will be used in a subsequent feasibility study to consider whether a footpath is justified, what the options are, and the costs involved.
“The survey and study will start in 2013/14. Any footpath at this location would dependent on availability of funding and competing priorities across the Scottish road network.”
Councillor Mollison added: “Other residents have approached me about such a path, and indeed local cyclists are very keen to bring the underpass back into use so that it can be used by pedestrians and cyclists.”