Two popular active travel routes in Moray have been upgraded to make walking, wheeling and cycling more accessible.
A 2.5km stretch of National Cycle Network Route 1 between Cullen and Portknockie has received ÂŁ1.4m worth of upgrades, including path resurfacing, improved drainage to prevent surface water, and the installation of an accessible ramp at Cullen.
This has provided a safe, traffic-free link between the communities which is useable year-round, giving more people the opportunity to make sustainable journey choices.
Drainage work on the former railway embankment in Cullen was also completed in August 2023.
The ÂŁ1.45m project has made the route resilient against future extreme rainfall events.Â
An additional 1.3km of National Cycle Network Route 1, which runs east from Garmouth to the Spey Viaduct, has been resurfaced and had tree roots removed.
The ÂŁ260,923 project is making it easier and safer for locals and visitors to enjoy the route.
The improvements to the National Cycle Network in Moray have been funded by the Scottish Government and developed and delivered through partnership between Moray Council and Sustrans.
Chair of the Economic Development & Infrastructure Services Committee, Cllr Marc Macrae, said the routes are as popular as ever since fully re-opening:
“These paths are popular for locals and visitors so it’s great to see them being fully utilised again.
“We’re spoiled for cycling and walking routes in Moray and I hope these routes will continue to provide people with alternate and accessible traveling options.
“Switching to walking or cycling even for just a short journey helps to protect biodiversity in our local areas.
“In 2019, Moray Council declared a climate emergency and projects like this demonstrates some great strides to tackling climate change.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, added:
“I welcome the improvements to the National Cycle Network Route 1 between Cullen and Portknockie, which have now been completed during Scotland’s Climate Week through £1.4 million of funding from the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership with Moray Council and Sustrans Scotland.
“The improvements to the cycle route will make it safer and more accessible for the local community, giving them a more sustainable travel option that will be resilient against future weather events.
“These improvements are funded as part of the £145 million allocated to Active Travel this year, which continues to bring real change to communities across Scotland.
“For our health, wellbeing and climate, the Scottish Government will continue to invest in active travel to help people choose walking, wheeling and cycling for shorter everyday journeys.”
Emilia Hanna, Head of Network Development at Sustrans Scotland, said:
“We’re very pleased to see improvements made to these popular stretches of National Cycle Network Route 1.
“Connecting communities via high-quality, traffic-free routes such as these not only creates safe and accessible spaces where people can walk, wheel and cycle with ease, but also boosts the local economy.
“We hope that this will reduce car dependence in Moray by providing residents and visitors to the area with an attractive and sustainable alternative, both for their everyday journeys as well as for leisure.”