Major investment in cycling and walking in the Portlethen area has been given the go-ahead by the sustainable transport charity Sustrans. However plans for a new cycling/walking track between Muchalls and Stonehaven has not been given tthe go-ahead.

 

The application for funds ws made by Aberdeenshire Council and the local authority has secured funding of around £690,000 for the next two years for projects across the North East.

Work in Peterhead as part of the Cycle Demonstration Town project will continue and hubs for walking, cycling and public transport will be created in Ellon, Fraserburgh, Huntly, Inverurie and Portlethen under the ‘Integrated Travel Towns’ banner.

North Kincardine councillor Ian Mollison commented: “I have now had a conversation with the council officer responsible for taking this forward. He tells me that they will be reviewing what has been done/mentioned/complained about in Portlethen in recent times. Officers will also be in touch with local councillors and the Portlethen community council in the coming weeks. 

“Some previous work has been done with regard to encouraging cycling and walking, for example to Badentoy.

 

“There are also aspirations to link Portlethen to communities further north and further south.

 

“A fresh look will also be taken about how Hillside links with Portlethen, both for cyclists and walkers.

 

“Of course there already is a significant cycle and footway network in place in much of the area.

 

“Aberdeenshire Council already has a good track record in this respect, having won awards for similar work at Peterhead.

 

“However there was also disappointing news from Sustrans. A bid for funds for a cycle track between Muchalls and Stonehaven parallel to the A90 was turned down.  This would a great boon for cyclists and walkers. It leaves a missing link along the coast.”

 

Sustrans had a record number of bids that were to a very high standard and unfortunately they could not fund them all.