A north-east councillor has made a renewed call for a safe cycle route all the way between Aberdeen and one of the region’s biggest towns.
East Garioch councillor Martin Ford said a way to fully link the Granite City with Inverurie was urgently needed to draw cyclists away from the busy A96.
And he said such a route – also taking in Blackburn and Kintore – was moving closer to reality.
Aberdeenshire Council constructed a cycle path between Kintore and the Inverurie’s business park last year, complimenting the existing pathway between Port Elphinstone and Thainstone.
Mr Ford also wants to see the “missing link” between the Thainstone roundabout and Kintore Business Park put in place to avoid cyclists from taking to the main Aberdeen to Inverness road.
Work on this section is due to be progressed this year.
The local authority is also currently looking into options for a cycleway between Kintore and Blackburn.
Mr Ford said the current options between Kintore, Blackburn and Aberdeen had “obvious disadvantages in terms of distance and ground”.
The co-leader of Aberdeenshire Council’s Democratic Independent and Green Group said: “I’m keen to see a cycle route in place all the way between Inverurie and Aberdeen.
“I will be delighted to finally see cycling provision in place all the way between Kintore and Port Elphinstone.
“Certainly, cycling on the A96 itself is not a good experience, so having a cycle route available instead will be a significant improvement for cyclists wanting to travel between Kintore and Inverurie.
“I’m very pleased to see progress on a cycle route between Kintore and Blackburn.
“I look forward to engaging with the consultants working on the project over the choice of route, and agreeing a preferred option in the spring. I certainly want to see a route put in place as soon as possible.”
