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January 28, 2009

Strathpeffer Community Council aim for safer, greener travel

A community’s plan to create a cycle route between Dingwall and Strathpeffer has taken another step forward. Strathpeffer Community Council has won funding of £12,000 from the Scottish Government to pay for a feasibility study into an off-road link between the two communities, which are six miles apart

A project to create a cycle route between Dingwall and Strathpeffer has taken another step forward.

Strathpeffer Community Council has won funding of £12,000 from the Scottish Government to pay for a feasibility study into an off-road link between the two communities, which are six miles apart.

A survey of prospective users last year was overwhelmingly positive about the plans.

The money from the government’s Climate Challenge Fund will be used to employ a consultant to find the best route for the path.

It is thought that the disused railway track could provide one option.

Strathpeffer Community Council chairman Alan Reid said: “I am absolutely delighted that our bid was successful.

“The A834 is a very busy route with a number of sharp bends, and this is clearly a deterrent to people who might have substituted their car journey for a bike ride.

“We want to identify a viable off-road route, so that we can then deliver a project which helps both the environment and the local economy and makes this an even better place to live.”

Fellow community councillor, and the proprietor of the local bike shop, Square Wheels, Steve Macdonald said: “We need to do the feasibility study before we can apply for money to build it.

“We need to make sure that we know where the track is going.

“We hope to have the study completed early this year.

“This will allow people to cycle to Dingwall.

“The road is very dangerous. It is narrow with no verges.

“People would use the track to commute between Strathpeffer and Dingwall for work and for school.”

The Strathpeffer project was one of 24 to receive funding during the third round from the Climate Challenge Fund.