Montgarrie to Alford Active Travel Route

We asked

Towards the end of 2023, we engaged with the local community for feedback on our proposed route connecting Montgarrie and Alford. The proposed route linked up existing paths through Haughton Country Park. We asked if you supported the proposed route and what the main barriers were to travelling actively. We also asked if you supported investment in active travel to encourage people to choose walking and cycling over travelling by car.

You said

Around 64% of respondents expressed support for our suggested route with 74% stating that they would use the route for leisure or travel. Regarding investment in active travel, 67% believe that this will encourage people to use their cars less. You told us that the main barriers to travelling by foot, bicycle or wheelchair were a lack of appropriate routes and safety concerns.

Following the outcome of our engagement, we have continued to work on our original proposal with the aim of designing an appropriate route which is accessible for all users but also in-keeping with the natural environment. The chosen route was designed to find a balance between using the most direct route and utilising the existing paths whilst causing the least disruption to the environment and making the most of the natural features. Whilst we are unable to provide lighting on this route due to environmental and engineering restrictions, other safety concerns are being considered such as the addition of handrails on steep sections and safe road crossings. The chosen route follows rural paths away from traffic and busy roads.

We will

We are now looking for your input on the finer details of the route to ensure the finalised path is safe and accessible for everyone. We are also looking for your ideas and feedback to understand how the community can get the best use out of the path so that walking, cycling or wheeling can be your first choice of travel between Alford and Montgarrie.

Following your feedback, we will make any final amendments to the route and aim to start construction in late Spring/early Summer. Please view the updated path design under recent documents and complete the survey to give us your thoughts. The survey should take a few minutes.