The creation of a footpath and cycleway between Montrose and the Northwater Viaduct mooted in the mid-1990s and started more than 10 years ago looks as if it might at last get out of first gear.
Angus Council infrastructure services committee will consider a report next week which recommends that the authority proceeds with the £279,000 project, with completion by May 2011. The costs will be shared by the council (£179,000), Angus Environmental Trust (£25,000) and the Sustrans National Cycle Route (£75,000).
During the 1990s Rail Property Ltd undertook major improvement works to the Northwater Viaduct three and a half kilometres north of Montrose and in 2001 Sustrans took over ownership of the structure.
This was with the intention that the viaduct would be used for public access to create a safe off-road link between Montrose and St Cyrus and that the council would establish a footpath/cycleway from Montrose to the viaduct. On completion this link would become part of the national cycle route.
Negotiations with landowners south of the viaduct have been protracted due to difficulties in agreeing a preferred route and the terms of the proposed lease and access agreement of the strips of land. These have now been agreed and council officials feel the project can be recommended to proceed.
The route will run from Broomfield Road, Montrose, north through the former airfield using part of the old concrete runway and land at Kinnaber to link with the southern end of the viaduct. It will then enter Aberdeenshire Council territory and follow the minor public road to St Cyrus and beyond.
It is proposed to use part of the disused railway through Kinnaber but to skirt round the west side of the fields immediately south of the viaduct to avoid conflict with farming practices and to respect the privacy of Kinnaber House and the Gardener’s Cottage.
It is anticipated that work would commence in mid February next year and it has been estimated that the completed route will cost £1760 annually to maintain.
Councillor David May welcomes the recommendation, saying, “It has taken a while. There is a great need for off-road cycleways, particularly for families, youngsters and cyclists not confident on busy roads.”
Photo used under a Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user garryknight.