Bill could be £17m for bike-friendly Aviemore
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WHERE there's a wheel there may be a £17 million way.
Plans costing millions of pounds – that include controversial cycle lanes in Aviemore – to make it easier for people to be more active in the village, Glenmore and surrounding area are now on a faster track.
But a report before the Cairngorms National Park Authority board meeting at the Albert Hall in Ballater on Friday revealed it may come at a particularly heavy cost.
The total project could total almost four times more than the CNPA's annual £4.56 million budget and will need support from other funding bodies.
Aviemore's busy main street could be narrowed to accommodate cycle lanes in each direction under the project. A stricter speed limit on Grampian Road is also likely to follow as part of safety measures to protect cyclists and pedestrians if and when new arrangements are introduced as part of the wider Active Aviemore project.
The report on the scheme states: "Work clearly identifies the benefits and capacity to develop separate multi-use (walking and cycling) paths on both sides of the Grampian Road linking; railway station, shops, school and proposed new hospital. This work has been split into five sections...
"The identification of these sections allows priority choices and development to be phased over several years. Improvements to the Aviemore Orbital path are also recommended to encourage effective use of the wider path network throughout Aviemore."
But the report by Pete Crane, head of visitor services, and David Clyne, access manager, revealed: "Initial survey work undertaken confirms the ability to build the paths but is not detailed enough to produce accurate costs.
"Industry-standard estimates are designed to raise awareness of worst-case scenario. The project indicates full delivery would be in the range £6.7 million to £17 million. The next stage would be the development of a design phase at an estimated cost of £175,000 with potential funding from Sustrans Scotland Community Links project."
In August, Highland Council Badenoch and Strathspey area committee approved its support for the submission to Sustrans Community Links funding for a design phase.
Active Cairngorms is also moving forward at pace. The report added: "Ongoing work by Forest Enterprise Scotland developing the Glenmore Action Plan identified the need to improve non-motorised access through Glenmore linking visitor attractions, car parks and path network by building a multi-use path (walking and cycling) alongside the road. The application is for a total project of £326,000 with 30 per cent support from CNPA, FES and Sustrans.
"Applications will be determined by October 5 with project delivery required by March 2020. If successful FES will manage the project supported by CNPA. The path will be maintained by FES."
The report also states: "It is timely to report progress on both Active Aviemore and Cairngorm and Glenmore as in terms of visitor experience and local employment these areas are clearly linked with growing evidence of increased demand and impact.
"Experience in other national parks suggests many overseas visitors are likely to want a one-day experience of the Cairngorms National Park as part of a wider Highland or Scottish holiday, with Aviemore, Glenmore and Cairngorm being a key destination."
CNPA board members noted progress and agreed that it should continue being a key partner for both projects.
