The project update will include details of the final estimated cost for delivery, and council members will be asked to agree to proceed with this ambitious, transformational scheme at a special meeting recheduled for today, 24 October, following last week's disruption by Storm Babet.
The council has said that 'Arbroath, A Place for Everyone', has "the potential to be a once-in-a-lifetime, transformational project" and a catalyst for the development of further projects to support the regeneration of the town. The project is aimed at making safe connections, to improve the appearance of the area, bringing green infrastructure into the centre of the town and drawing people to the seafront and historic core.
When completed, Arbroath, A Place For Everyone will provide an exemplary walking, wheeling and cycling route, accessible to all, connecting destinations throughout Arbroath and improving accessibility in the town by restoring those areas and facilities disconnected by the current road, creating a seafront people will increasingly want to use. The project also aims help to improve the local economy through increased footfall to shopping areas and attractions for locals and visitors.
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Financial support for the project in Arbroath was awarded under the Sustrans Places for Everyone programme in 2019. The Arbroath project is amongst the most ambitious projects being funded by the Places for Everyone programme, with Arbroath the first of Scotland's towns to receive the highest level of funding available through the scheme. This funding is only available for this project and should if not go ahead, the funding will be lost.
Leader of Angus Council, Cllr Beth Whiteside said: "If the devastating events of this last week have taught us anything, it is that we must look at the effects of climate change on our environment and act accordingly.
"Improving our towns and communities, making them a greener place to live and encouraging a low carbon lifestyle is a vital part of the longer-term future for the whole of Angus.
"Today the First Minister Humza Yousaf saw for himself the devastation caused by Storm Babet as he visited Brechin. He committed to long-term support to Angus to help us rebuild from the damage and to allow us to reconsider our flood protection measures across the whole of the council area.
"Now is not the time to walk away from green schemes such as Arbroath A Place For Everyone, that can not only help protect the future of our environment, but will boost our local economy and could become a catalyst for further investment in our towns in the future."
If agreed, construction on the project is scheduled to start in January 2024 with an estimated completion date of July 2025.
