An improvement project has been completed on Ellon's Riverside Path along the banks of the Ythan in Aberdeenshire.

The path was widened to provide pedestrians and cyclists a safe route to the town centre and Ellon Academy community campus.

The three-metre-wide 'shared-use' path runs from Modley Avenue, where it links with the Formartine and Buchan way, along the riverside to the town centre, where it links into the existing path leading up to Ellon Academy. 

The project forms part of Aberdeenshire Council's upcoming Integrated Travel Town (ITT) project – which will see investment in walking and cycling provision in five of the area's main towns. It also seeks to increase active travel levels and decrease the number of short journeys being made by car. 


Chair of the Formartine Area Committee and local councillor, Isobel Davidson, said: "I really hope the investment in upgrading this path makes a big difference in terms of encouraging people to reduce the number of short car journeys in the town centre and to Ellon Community Campus in particular.

"As well as the benefits for the local environment, the extra exercise would have a really positive effect on the physical and mental health of those making the extra effort."

Chair of the council's Infrastructure Services Committee, Peter Argyle, added: "I am pleased to see early progress in the Ellon Integrated Travel Town (ITT) Masterplan. Ellon is one of five towns in Aberdeenshire which have had an ITT masterplan developed and strategic cycle corridors from Ellon, Inverurie and Stonehaven to Aberdeen are also being progressed.

"These are ambitious projects to improve walking and cycling across Aberdeenshire and they help highlight our commitment to active and sustainable travel."

(CM/MH)