Transport / Design completed on possible Lerwick to Black Gaet cycling and walking path
A DESIGN for a sizeable combined cycling and walking path between Lerwick and the Black Gaet junction is set to go out for consultation soon.
The path would span from the Westerloch Drive junction in Lerwick to just south of the Black Gaet junction at Gulberwick.
The aim is to help cyclists safely travel up Shurton Brae and Sound Brae, as well as boosting overall active travel in the area – but it all hinges on getting government funding.
With changes to the design still possible through the public consultation stage, there is no estimated cost being given at this time.
There is also thought being given to a path on the ‘north’ side of Lerwick – from the outskirts of the town, down to the Brig o’ Fitch before heading towards Scalloway – but that project is not as advanced at this stage.
Shetland News was given a look at an early iteration design of the Lerwick South-Black Gaet path – and it is fairly clear it would be a sizeable project.
The rough distance between the two points is just under two miles.
A feasibility study was first carried out by transport planning consultancy Systra, which was involved in outline design work.
Starting opposite the Black Gaet junction, there could be a 2.5 metre width shared path on the right side of the A970 as you go towards Lerwick, with the track sitting behind the crash barrier.
It would then run up the hill and roughly follow the alignment of the A970, with a crossing point at the junction which leads to the housing at Shurton Brae.
The path would continue towards the observatory housing estate.
Asset and network management team leader Colin Gair said the path would then split as it got to the Gulberwick junction.
Current plans propose that cyclists would join the existing road at the housing estate, while walkers would follow a new path towards Lerwick, behind the bus lay-by.
Cyclists and walkers would then merge together again as the path leads down the right hand side of Sound Brae.
However cyclists going down the Sound Brae hill would be encouraged to cross the road to merge with vehicle traffic as, due to the speeds they can reach, they could pose a risk to pedestrians and other uphill cyclists.
If they decided to follow the new path downhill the cyclists would be directed to lower their speed.
Gair confirmed that the plan would involve making the road at Sound Brae slightly narrower than at present in order to accommodate the new path.
He explained that the road was initially constructed for 60mph traffic and seeing as it is now 30mph, it does not require to be quite as wide as it is.
The new path would run down Sound Brae and continue through the Ackrigarth junction before a proposed light-controlled crossing over the A970 South Road.
The changes would also result in better visibility for drivers turning out of the Ackrigarth junction.
After the new crossing the path would then run down the left side of the main road as it heads further into Lerwick, coming to an end at the Westerloch Drive junction, where new crossings would be installed.
The proposals show a crossing on Westerloch itself and another new light-controlled crossing on the A970 South Road between the Westerloch and Nederdale Road junctions.
SIC roads manager Neil Hutcheson said consultation on the design could take place later this summer.
He added there has been no cost to the SIC so far, with Scottish Government funding covering the outlay.
Having a completed feasibility study plus a finalised design would allow the SIC to seek external funding for the construction.
The proposed route could also link into the new path at the top of Gulberwick, which is likely to be extended.
While there is thought being given to a ‘north’ project from the Ladies Drive area linking to Scalloway, there is also potential to look at a path through the Black Gaet which would provide an alternative link from Lerwick to Scalloway.
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