End of the road in sight for improved safety at Cairngorms beauty spot
Long-awaited footpath plans to improve visitor safety at the strath’s most popular tourist hotspot have just one more road to cross.
The route will provide a safe link from the car park at Loch Morlich to the turn off for sportscotland’s Glenmore Lodge.
Forestry and Land Scotland submitted the proposals in November 2019 to construct the badly needed pathway.
There have been long-standing road safety concerns caused by the lack of formal footpath links in the Glenmore area – especially in sunny summer weather when Loch Morlich is swarming with thousands of visitors.
People, including parents with babies in pushchairs and toddlers, have had to pick their way alongside the Cairngorm Ski Road to reach the beach.
They have had to navigate their way by parked cars lining the verge – often stepping out into the road – as traffic flies past close by at up to 40mph.
But now the short sections of new and realigned pathways will allow non-vehicular traffic and pedestrians to access the beach facilities from the public roadside in safety.
Pete Crane, the CNPA’s head of visitor services, said: “The path is now nearly complete. It has been delayed a bit by snow, and when the weather improves there are four road slowing points to be installed making it easier and safer to cross the road at key locations including the beach and the visitor centre.
“Highland Council is also preparing plans to reduce the village speed limit to 30 mph and designs to improve the roadside parking along the loch side.
“We all anticipate a busy summer and are working together to make it safer for all.”
The main funding for the Glenmore path has come from a successful bid to the VisitScotland Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund.
The CNPA and FLS have provided one-third of the capital and managed the work on the ground.
A FLS spokeswoman said: “We are happy to confirm that the path itself was completed just before Christmas and can be used.
“However, we are waiting for the snow to clear so the raised road crossing points can go in.”
