Warning that some footpaths to be closed in Aviemore beauty spot
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Scottish Water is advising of essential work that will be carried out to renew a water main running through a popular beauty spot by Aviemore.
Some temporary closures will be in place on a number of paths in Craigellachie National Nature Reserve to allow the work to be carried out safely.
However, the utility giant has said these will be phased to ensure those using the nature reserve have as much access as possible.
Routes will also reopen fully at weekends.
Site preparation work will begin on October 11 on an access track to the nature reserve from the A9.
Some tree felling is necessary to provide access for the machinery required but this will be kept to a minimum.
The main work will then begin on the water main the following week.
The routes affected are the Buzzard and Viewpoint trails. The Lochan and Woodland trails will remain open as normal.
The project, which will be carried out on behalf of Scottish Water by contractor Global Infrastructure, is expected to be completed by December.
Project manager Neil Cowper said: “We appreciate that this essential work is taking place in an area that is particularly important for nature and that is enjoyed by local residents and visitors to the area.
"We have worked hard to put a programme in place that minimises disruption and will continue to allow as much access to people as possible.
“We have consulted closely with NatureScot about our plans and looked at how we can phase work to keep paths open as much of the time as possible.
"Where closures are needed in the interests of safety, they will be well signposted in advance.
"In addition, our contractor Global Infrastructure will make the area safe at the end of each working week to ensure full access to all routes over weekends.”
Mr Cowper added: “This project is needed to renew the water main that runs through the nature reserve to a storage tank that then supplies our customers in the village.
"We would like to apologise for any disruption caused by this work which will ensure that we can maintain a reliable water supply to the community for the years ahead.
"We’re grateful for the assistance of NatureScot’s team and for the understanding of visitors to the reserve while the work takes place.”
