Aberdeenshire Council has started work to stabilise a coastal walkway damaged in a landslip.
A section of path in the Broadsea area of Fraserburgh was closed last week after it collapsed in heavy rain and wind.
The route’s closure, which is popular among locals and tourists for its sites of historic buildings and the coast, prompted safety fears from local councillors and tourism chiefs.
Its closure also meant that the only route from the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses and heritage centre to the town’s harbour is through industrial sites.
Aberdeenshire Council last night confirmed, however, that plans were already in place to bring the path back into public use.
Margaret-Jane Cardno, area manager for Banff and Buchan, said it was “likely” the route would be bolstered by rock armouring.
“We’re continuing to monitor the landslip in case of any further movement and we have already started to design appropriate measures to stabilise the slope,” she added.
“It is likely that rock armour stones will be placed along the toe of the slope to prevent further erosion, loose material cleared from the surface and the exposed soil surface re-seeded through a reinforcing mesh.
“The footpath will also be moved back from the top of the slope over a short length to allow the verge and fence to be re-established at the top of the slope.”
Local councillor Charles Buchan welcomed the move as a positive step forward.
He said: “That route is very important for Fraserburgh as a link between the museum and heritage centre and the conservation area of Broadsea. I just hope the work can be done without too much disruption.
“The faster it’s done, the less chance there is that someone will be put at risk.”
Rock armouring had previously been added along the pathway in 2009, but stops just short of where the slip happened.