Nearly 900 people have signed a petition calling for a rethink on plans to reroute a popular north-east path to make way for the Aberdeen bypass.
Residents of the Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber area have objected to plans to close off a section of the Deeside Way – a popular route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
They launched a petition in April and now it has gained 899 signatures, and will be heard by Aberdeen City Council’s petitions committee on June 8.
Project partners in the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route want to close a section of the old railway line, near Milltimber Brae, for 14 months to allow construction work to take place.
But fears have been raised that an originally planned pedestrian bridge across the new bypass may no longer be built.
The petition, launched by John Bevan, reads: “…this petition supports the construction of a dedicated non-vehicular bridge over the AWPR, rather than using a diversion via Station Road.”
North-east MSP Ross Thomson said the petition showed the strength of feeling over the popular route.
“I think the fact this petition has gathered nearly 900 signatures shows the strength of public opinion in the area.
“These aren’t people who want to stop development, far from it, they have instead come up with a sensible straight forward solution to the problem on this much loved route.
“The current proposal makes no sense and I think this is a good opportunity for Transport Scotland to take another look.”
Lower Deeside councillor Marie Boulton said she would be representing her constituents at the public meeting.
Mrs Boulton said: “Transport Scotland clearly recognised that what they are doing would lead to severe complications but they decided to do it anyway.
“I will certainly be going along to the meeting to put the views of my constituents forward.”
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “The AWPR proposals in the Milltimber area were extensively consulted on and were fully examined at Public Local Inquiry during 2008.
“The permanent bridge, carrying Milltimber Brae over the AWPR, will provide users of the Deeside Way with continued access along the Deeside Way and over the new AWPR as set-out in the plans in 2007. This new bridge is located close to the existing Deeside Way line and has dedicated provision for cyclists and walkers.”
