Councillors to consider active travel options for Kemnay to Kintore and Inverurie links
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Plans to create two new active travel links between three north-east communities could take a step forward next week.
Aberdeenshire Council launched a public consultation in October for views on six proposed routes between Kemnay, Kintore and Inverurie following approval from the Garioch Area Committee.
Three different routes were suggested to link Kemnay to Kintore and a further three had been proposed from Kemnay to Inverurie.
An online survey was made available for local residents to complete while copies were also given to school pupils for them to have their say on the proposals.
The community engagement exercise gathered a “substantial” total of 877 responses of which 570 said safety concerns prevented them from cycling.
Meanwhile, 730 respondents said active travel routes like this would help reduce the impact on climate change.
To link Kemnay to Kintore just over half of the participants (52.5%) preferred Option 2 that would see a new cycle path created via the B994 and an unnamed track.
Those who selected this option said it was the “safest”, “sheltered” and “ideal for families”.
They also said that the route would encourage travel between the two locations without a car and provide access to Kintore train station from Kemnay.
While some respondents said the route was safe cyclists would need to cross the B994 twice.
Addressing this concern Aberdeenshire Council has suggested the route should be explored further and could become a mix of options 2 and 1 – a more direct link via the B994.
For Kemnay to Inverurie Option 3 was most popular with local residents (60.7%).
The route would be created through an unnamed road between Aquithie Road leading to Port Elphinstone.
Those who chose Option 3 said it was the “quietest” and “safest” route and noted that it avoids the busy A96.
The route was also viewed favourably as some respondents said they already use the route to travel between the two locations.
Councillors of the Garioch Area Committee will meet on Tuesday, January 11 to consider the consultation feedback and have been asked to agree to develop the two preferred routes.
