Active Travel Route - Inverurie to Oldmeldrum

We asked

Aberdeenshire Council has commissioned transport consultants to develop options for an active travel route between Inverurie and Oldmeldrum. Earlier this summer, we carried out a survey to identify any key problems and opportunities faced by people who travel in the area. This engagement exercise set out to establish the key priorities for any proposed active travel route connecting Inverurie and Oldmeldrum. Upon closing of the survey, all responses were analysed to identify common themes of barriers and challenges to active travel participation in the area.

You said

The survey was available to all members of the public but was targeted to those who live, visit, work or travel within the area. Approximately 640 responses were received with 90% of those coming from AB51 postcode which covers Inverurie, Kemnay, Kintore, and Oldmeldrum. The survey achieved responses from a broad range of age groups broadly representative of the area, while the sample skewed slightly towards women (60%). 80% of respondents are employed (either full-time, part-time or self-employed) and 15% are retired.

To establish existing cycling levels in the study area, respondents were asked how often they travel by bicycle during a typical week. Over half of the respondents (54%) do not travel by bike at all and only 3% of respondents travel by bike every day. Approximately 37% of respondents travel by bike at least once a week.

The main reasons cited for those that do not cycle was because they feel the roads are not safe for cycling, specifically the B9170 connecting Inverurie and Oldmeldrum where there was a significant safety concern (43%) and that there is lack of traffic free routes (32%). Only 11% responded that they don’t like cycling.

When asked what could encourage people to walk or wheel more often, the majority of respondents (37%) indicated improved infrastructure (for example better footways and paths). Other notable proportions were more information about routes and paths (14%), wider path/smoother surface (13%) and more safe places to cross the roads (12%).

Respondents were asked to identify the key priorities that must be considered for a high-quality active travel link between Inverurie and Oldmeldrum. Most of them (81%) indicated that the link must be safe, traffic free, direct and accessible. When asked if they would consider walking, wheeling or cycling for work or leisure if high-quality infrastructure was in place, 77% responded that they would.

Finally, respondents were asked to provide any additional comments with regards to the study. 35% highlighted their support for the creation of a safe traffic free route to walk or cycle between Inverurie and Oldmeldrum. An additional 15% of respondents provided suggestions for the new route with a quarter of them indicating the disused railway line and a few other noting that the route should be connecting to Daviot. 40% of respondents had nothing further to add

We will

We are now gathering feedback from local path groups including the Meldrum Paths Group and Zero Carbon Daviot on the appraisal of options for suggested routes. The final Options Appraisal report is due at the end of November.