Views being sought on improved safe route through Grantown
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Residents are being urged to have their say on creating an 'accessible, active and attractive' route through the heart of the Strathspey capital.
The Grantown Society has been leading a community project since 2020 with support from Sustrans Scotland and Active Travel to try and make the town better for walking, cycling and wheeling around.
The Grantown 3As project – as it is known – is now focussing on one key route taking in Seafield Avenue, Grant Road, Church Avenue to the war memorial, The Square, along the side of The Grant Arms and then via Strathspey Gardens to South Street.
Project leaders are holding further community engagement sessions on Friday and Saturday when residents and the wider public will be able to view, discuss and comment on the route and possible ways in which it could be improved.
Grantown 3As spokesman Bill Sadler said: "The initial phase of the project looked at the whole of Grantown and had little difficulty in identifying lots of routes where it would be desirable to improve accessibility.
"Narrow and missing pavements being a significant common denominator together with the fact that a busy High Street separates the west side of Grantown, where many people live, from the east where there are schools and sports facilities.
"However, we had no prospect of funding every route so the current phase is looking at concepts for just one route which could begin to improve the situation.
"Our hope is that if we successfully conclude this phase then the Cairngorms National Park Authority will take over our project, progress it to an actual design and eventually implementation.
"Their brief and resources are much greater and we also hope that they will look again at the whole of Grantown."
As for the chosen route, Mr Sadler said: "The idea of this engagement is to examine the existing route, look at the barriers and hazards and explore options and solutions.
"As this is part of an ongoing process we have already ruled out a one way system and have collected lots of comments to date. All of these are and have been carefully examined.
"We now wish to collect views on this route – and only this route – from as many folk as possible.
"We would really value any input the public can make at either of these sessions. Also there will be opportunities to take part in an organised walk along the proposed route."
Providers and promoters of walking and cycling in and around Grantown have also been invited to contribute to the displays on Saturday.
The Active Travel consultations will be taking place at the town's YMCA on Friday from 2.30pm to 6.30pm and Saturday from 10.30am to 4pm.
The meeting time for the organised route walks on both days is 1.30pm at the war memorial.
