The development of a £200,000 route, connecting two expanding Aberdeenshire towns, is close to completion.
In January, councillors unanimously backed plans to construct a cycle path which would connect Kintore with Port Elphistone and Inverurie adjacent to the A96.
It is hoped the pathway will encourage people to leave their cars at home and start walking, jogging or cycling between the two towns.
And now, the construction of the section between Kintore, starting at the entrance to the Overdon Care Home and Kintore Business Park is almost finished.
Councillor Martin Ford said: “A good cycle path between Kintore and Port Elphinstone will be a great help to anyone who cycles – or who would like to cycle – between Kintore and the Inverurie area, whether for recreation, to go shopping or to commute to work.
“The new section of path between Kintore and Kintore Business Park looks great. I will continue to press for the planned linking cycle path between Kintore Business Park and the Thainstone roundabout to be built as soon as possible.”
Chairman of the Kintore Community council, Brian Johnston, added: “It’ll be great when the path is finished and, from what I can see of the pictures of the path, it looks like a very good job has been done.
“It will be great for the people of Kintore to have a good and safe walking and cycling route.
“I am sure it will be very much used. Projects such as this are all good progress for Kintore and its community.”
Work still needs to be done on other sections of the pathway, but once that is created, the new path will provide cyclists and walkers with a safer route between Thainstone and Kintore.
In the past, anybody wanting to cycle between Kintore and Inverurie had to cross the A96 dual carriageway near Thainstone or cycle part of the way on the trunk road itself.
The project is being funded with £50,000 from Nestrans and Sustrans Scotland’s Community Links Programme, which is providing £190,000. The rest will be funded by the council.
