Paving the way to better transport

I didn’t think I’d be the person getting excited about pavement improvements, but when you work in transport, it turns out it’s a pretty big deal. 

We’re all so used to travelling between places that we don’t necessarily think about it that much. Getting from a to b in our daily lives we might use pavements, paths, kerbs, cycle lanes and bus stops, but never really consider how all these things came to be. There's more to it than you’d think – and that’s where my team come in. 

We are working to make it easier to get around the Cairngorms without a car, whether that be on foot, in a wheelchair, cycling or using public transport. Basically, we’re big fans of options that are cheaper, good for the planet, and involve fresh (sometimes very fresh) air. We want everyone to have the choice to leave the car at home, no matter their experience, background or ability, and through Cairngorms 2030 we’re taking steps towards that. 

My team has just wrapped up local consultations on new designs to improve travel infrastructure (things like paths, bus stops and crossings) in Aviemore and Boat of Garten. It’s been a busy few months, but worth it to hear the thoughts of people locally on things like traffic calming, green spaces, bus stop improvements and how we could create a safe link between Aviemore hospital and the town centre. These views directly shape the project work, so we’re grateful to everyone who came to chat to us and filled in the online consultation. 

Now that the consultation phase is finished, we are working with consultants Mott MacDonald to update the designs based on the community feedback. Once we hear back on funding confirmation, they will then prepare the planning application and work through all the technical stuff, including statutory processes and many, many documents, to get the show on the road. 

Next on the agenda, we are working with landscape architects to redesign the area next to the car park in Aviemore town centre, including resurfacing the ramp to the railway underpass.   This project also includes removing barriers and improving surfaces, with work such as fixing potholes on cycle paths (yes!), as well as new signs, removing debris off paths and cutting back overhanging branches. This project links National Cycle Route 7 on Dalfaber Road into the improvements being made on Grampian Road, creating a circular cycle and walking route. There is a lot going on!  

It’s a good time to be a cyclist in the Cairngorms, and we want it to be even better. We’re proud to have supported Glenmore Visitor Centre to install a new cycle parking and a bike repair kit, meaning you can grab a coffee and repair any punctures before heading out on an adventure. We are now planning to invest in several community led cycle hub projects like this across the area, watch this space. 

Of course, we know getting infrastructure sorted is only one part of the puzzle – we are also working to increase active travel across the board, including cycling confidence sessions and bike buses to get young people cycling safely to school. We’re collaborating with bus companies to make public transport more accessible to all, and have recently completed bus stop safety audits and work in the Glenmore corridor to make sure that residents and visitors can travel safely to some spectacular spots in the National Park.  

We want to unlock possibilities for how we travel around the National Park, and together we’re making progress. Next time you’re looking for a Cairngorms adventure, maybe you’ll consider giving it a go by bike or bus – let us know what you think if you do! 

Making it easier and safer for residents and visitors to get around the Cairngorms National Park is a huge team effort, with projects in Badenoch and Strathspey alone bringing together Transport Scotland, the Highland Council, HiBikes, HITRANS and engineering consultants Mott MacDonald, working in partnership to make this the best it can be for the area.  All of this work is part of our Cairngorms 2030 programme, made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, with thanks to National Lottery players. You can find out more about the programme here.