The CTC has no objection to the railway project itself, indeed it has always supported the re-establishment of railways.
The CTC was one of the founder organisations that supported the establishment of the Deeside Way in 2002, and it has contin
ued to support its development. It is intended that the Deeside Way will follow the line of the railway between Milton and Banchory. At present the new path alongside the railway is not cyclable. Similar complaints have been made that it is not usable by wheelchairs, buggies, etc. The CTC will not ride on it and I receive complaints every week from cyclists.
Repeated approaches to the Council, to the RDRPS itself, to Banchory Paths Association, over the past three years or so have been to no avail. The path that existed previously was built on the base of the old railway by the Council, and the planning consent for the reinstatement of the railway made clear that the path should be replaced to a specified standard.
Nearer to Banchory the path between the Burn of Bennie and Morrisons is in need of repair, and is effectively suffering from planning blight.
The Council seems unwilling to repair because of forthcoming development of the railway. Groundwork preparation for the railway has not improved conditions for users. I have suggested that in the interim the Council might take up the case by constructing a path here away from the old line, on the line that is clearly established about 5 meters to the south. I am sure that grant funding could be found to provide this without drawing on the existing Council budget.
Yours etc
Mark Hagger
Birkhead of Collonach
Strachan
Banchory
