Transport / Cycle and foot path planned for A970 at Gulberwick
A COMBINED cycle and footpath is being lined up for the east side of the A970 road at Gulberwick.
The path, which would be 2.5 metres in width, is the latest active travel project to progress in Shetland with funding from the Scottish Government.
A tender is currently out for the work, and the project is expected to be completed by June.
A spokesperson for Shetland Islands Council said the section of path would be 535 metres long, between the top of the North Heathery Park footpath to the Upper Langton junction, past the bus stop.
“This is the first phase of a wider project that hopes to connect the housing development areas in Gulberwick to mainline bus services on the A970 through good quality surfaced paths,” they added.
It is also envisaged that the path alongside the A970 will form part of a longer connected route to Lerwick over Shurton Brae.
Shetland South councillor Alex Armitage, who is a cyclist himself, said projects like this are an “investment in our health, the environment and our Shetland community”.
“Road danger is one of the biggest reasons why people are put off cycling,” he added.
There is regular funding available from the Scottish Government for projects such as paths which encourage active travel, such as walking and cycling.
One recent example was the new section of path near the Tesco roundabout which acts a connection between the Clickimin Loch and the Sletts.
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