Share Space Project - Rural Walking and Cycling Routes

The demand for space to walk and cycle in a safe and comfortable environment has increased with the Covid-19 pandemic circumstances. Aberdeenshire Council intends to respond to this trend towards active travel by promoting and encouraging these positive long term behaviour changes.

In this context, the Share Space - Rural Walking and Cycling Routes project has been developed to support this behaviour change. This project’s scope is to transform rural minor country roads into more attractive pathways for all types of users. Aberdeenshire has a widespread network of country roads where traffic volumes and speeds are considered to be low enough, such that these roads can be promoted to make cycling and walking feel more attractive.

Several baseline studies for identification of appropriate routes have been carried out, where three areas were identified as suitable for this pilot scheme: the Polinar Dam “loop” in Inverurie, the Woodhead of Fyvie to Gight and the Ythan Trail and Fernie Brae Road in Cornhill, Banff.

Unlike other active travel projects in Aberdeenshire, this project focus is “on road” and therefore does not separate those using active travel modes from motor traffic. For this reason the project team have opted to move on from the first proposed title “Green Routes and Quiet Lanes” to “Share Space”, so as not to create the false impression that motorised traffic has been removed from the road.

By adding specific signage along these routes, and without the need of any traffic calming measures, we expect to create better awareness and reduced speeds from motorised vehicles. The signs have been carefully designed to ensure that car users are advised to expect walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

The transformation of our country roads into more pleasant routes for active travellers aims to improve the community’s quality of life. The Share Space project may even tie up with other projects being already developed in these areas, with similar aspirations and objectives. It allows a better connection to public footpaths, improves access between neighbour villages, links communities.