Improvement works completed on active travel route in Arbroath

The work included raising the level of the coastal foot/cycleway by building up the level of the path along a section of the NCN1 that floods regularly.

The path now has a new recycled bridge replacing the previous concrete slab to take pedestrian and cyclists over the burn at Arbroath Golf Course, keeping feet and wheels dry.

Commenting on the works, Cllr Serena Cowdy, local councillor for Arbroath West and Angus Council’s spokesperson for Environment, Tourism and Active Travel said: “It’s great to see this upgraded route transformed and now ready for everyone to use and enjoy.

"It’s an important route for people travelling from Arbroath to Easthaven, on to Carnoustie and Monifieth, and back again and was too often impassable and unsafe due to flooding.

“By making the route suitable for use all year round, active travel becomes a viable and enjoyable way to travel for people living and working in the area.”

The verges and embankments have been left to naturalise with native wildflowers from the surrounding area as requested by Naturescot, one of the consultees of the process, as the site adjoins the Elliot Links Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Sustrans who look after the national cycle network and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency were also consulted, and their requirements were also incorporated into the scheme.

North Sea Cycle Route follows the eastern side of the country from Dover to John O’Groats and beyond. It is the only NCN route more than 1000 miles long and is fully signposted aside from a short missing section after Whitby.

It’s not strictly a coastal route: it often takes long diversions inland, such as at Norwich and Lincoln. South of Yorkshire, the route is generally flat or undulating at most.

There are a few hills around Whitby (in the missing section), but the longest climb comes on the inland route from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Edinburgh.

A full tour would take most cyclists a month.