Anyone with an interest in the proposed extension of the Speyside Way is invited to take part in a new consultation on the route. There is widespread support for the extension of the Long Distance Route beyond its current terminus in Aviemore, with a view to extending the route all the way to Newtonmore.
Although a considerable amount of work and effort has gone in to drawing up a preferred route for the extension since it first went out to public consultation in late 2004 / early 2005, there are some difficulties in determining the best route between Aviemore and Dalraddy.
This new consultation will focus on that particular section of the proposed extension only and will run until Friday 27 October. As the organisation with responsibility for outdoor access in the Park, the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) is leading the consultation with support from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and Moray and Highland Councils.
Bob Grant, Senior Outdoor Access Officer at the CNPA said: “We are very keen to see the line of the Speyside Way finalised but we have to ensure that our Board is made aware of all the relevant factors.
“We have had discussions with a number of the interested parties on this particular section and these have highlighted concerns over privacy, commercial value of property, impacts on land management operations and nature conservation. This new consultation will allow us to hear the views of all of those who have an interest in seeing the route completed.”
Cattie Anderson of SNH added: “I don’t think that any of us involved in this project realised quite how complex it would be to draw up plans for extending the Speyside Way to Newtonmore.
“However, consultation on this piece of the jigsaw should enable us to take a big step forward and will increase the options for responsible access between Aviemore and Kincraig while helping us to keep impacts on wildlife and land management to a minimum.”
Copies of the consultation paper can be obtained direct from the CNPA offices in Grantown-on-Spey. Please contact Catriona Campbell on tel: 01479 873535 or the relevant papers can be downloaded from the CNPA website