Project for off-road link between Grantown and Dulnain Bridge can now move through the gears
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A long awaited off-road link between Grantown and Dulnain Bridge has finally got the green light thanks to funding confirmation of £630,000.
The award from Scottish Government means that work can begin on the construction of a safe off road route between the neighbouring communities.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority applied to the Active Travel Transformation Fund on behalf of the Dulnain Bridge community who – with support from Sustrans – have led the project to this crucial stage.
The announcement on Tuesday has been welcomed by both communities.
Nigel Williams of the Dulnain Bridge Community Development Trust said: “We began the project in 2018 and with the support of our community, Sustrans, the Cairn Distillery, landowners, the Park Authority, and our consultants AECOM we have brought the project through to the construction phase.
“We are delighted that the Cairngorms National Park Authority made this successful bid to Transport Scotland on our behalf and that they will manage the final phases of the project.
“It is going to have a significant impact on the residents of the village giving us our first link to another community without having to travel on the A95 or A938.”
Skye of Curr resident Charlie Whelan said: “For more that 20 years since the Dulnain Bridge bypass was built all the authorities have turned a deaf ear to the people of Dulnain demanding links to the outside world. Fortunately the community council and cycle campaigners like Nigel Williams have refused to let them off the hook.
“Now at last the authorities have been forced to listen and Dulnain Bridge will have its first cycle path out of the village – hopefully the first of many more to come.”
Further match funding is also coming from the planning gain process associated with the construction of The Cairn Distillery.
The new route will include sections of old road as well as purpose built sections, allowing people to actively travel between Grantown and Dulnain Bridge, rather than having to use the busy A95 trunk road.
There will also be a dedicated crossing for people to access the distillery safely.
Grant Moir, chief executive of the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA), said: “We are delighted to secure funding for the construction of this key safe route for residents and visitors.
“How people move about the park – as well as how they get here – is a key focus with the aim being to see increasing numbers of people switching to sustainable forms of transport and active travel, but they will only do so if it’s safe and easy.
“The development of this route between Grantown and Dulnain Bridge is much needed and is an integral part of a wider ambition for a network that gives safer connections between all the communities in the Aviemore –Carrbridge–Grantown triangle.
“It is a great example of the type of projects we want to deliver during the ‘Heritage Horizons: Cairngorms 2030’ programme.”
CNPA board member John Kirk commented: “It’s fantastic that this safe route between Grantown and Dulnain can finally get under way, It is really important to both communities that this will be delivered.”
