Council chiefs have confirmed their intentions to write to Scottish transport minister Humza Yousaf, calling for answers on the future of a popular Aberdeen cycle path.
More than 1,600 people have signed a petition objecting to plans to close off a section of the Deeside Way.
Project partners in the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route development 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 bypass may no longer be built.
The protest, launched by John Bevan and supported by deputy council leader Marie Boulton and north-east MSP Ross Thomson, reads: “This petition supports the construction of a dedicated non-vehicular bridge over the AWPR, rather than using a diversion via Station Road.”
The objectors were heard by Aberdeen City Council’s petitions committee yesterday, which thereafter resolved to write to Mr Yousaf and invite him to the city.
Mrs Boulton said: “There is a genuine concern by the users of the Deeside Way that public safety will be compromised with the proposed diversion onto a sub-standard road which is single track with no pavements. ”
Committee convener Alan Donnelly said the strength of feeling demonstrated by the petitioners was a major reason behind his decision.
He said: “There are only a few houses on that street, so the fact the petition got more than 1,600 signatures really means we had to take it seriously.
A Transport Scotland spokesman responded: “The AWPR proposals in the Milltimber area were extensively consulted on and were fully examined at a Public Local Inquiry during 2008.
“The permanent bridge will provide users of the Deeside Way with continued access [along the route] and over the new AWPR, as set out in the plans in 2007, which were agreed by stakeholders, including Aberdeen City Council.
“This new bridge is located close to the existing Deeside Way line and has dedicated provision for cyclists and walkers.”
