BREAKTHROUGH!: Ground-breaking Path Order for Peffery Way Strathpeffer to Dingwall link confirmed as Highland Council hails removal of 'significant obstacle' to progress
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A LABOUR of love trailblazing project to link two Ross-shire communities via an off-road all-abilities path has secured a major boost that removes a significant obstacle to progress.
Highland Council has successfully obtained a Path Order for The Peffery Way to enable the continuation of works to build the walking and cycling route from Dingwall to Strathpeffer.
The route is 90 per cent complete and is the result of years of hard graft by volunteers with a shared vision of a safe route for recreation and active travel commuting.
Completed sections were described as a 'godsend' by many during the coronavirus crisis when outdoor exercise was limited.
The Path Order confirmed on Wednesday by the Scottish Government is only the second order to be required since the enactment of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.
The Path Order became necessary after negotiations with landowners failed to proceed.
Highland Council was able to assist the community-led Peffery Way Association (PWA) by using its powers in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act to obtain the Path Order that will allow a vital link of 161m at the Dingwall end of The Peffery Way, running 3.6 miles (6 km) from Strathpeffer, to be constructed using funds granted to the PWA.
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Dingwall and Seaforth committee chairman, Cllr Graham MacKenzie, said: “The Peffery Way offers an all-abilities, foot and cycle path between Dingwall and Strathpeffer and is a community-led project that has been under construction for five years now with just over 90 per cent of the route already constructed.
"It’s great news for the area as it will bring environmental and health and wellbeing benefits to the community, whilst offering a safe active travel route between Dingwall and Strathpeffer.”
Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh committee co-chair, Cllr Biz Campbell, said: “Delighted to hear the good news that the Path Order will allow the great work on the route to continue. I’m sure the route will be well used by residents and visitors to the area. Having safe and accessible places to enjoy walks and cycles has never been so important. Well done to all involved in getting the route to this stage.”
Peffery Way Association chairman, Ron McAulay, said: “The PWA are delighted that this Path Order has now been confirmed and are very grateful to Highland Council for their support and work in presenting the Path Order to the Scottish Government. We will now continue to work with the council to get the barriers at the Dingwall end of the path removed and the path constructed over this short section.
“Once complete, we will have one remaining section of the path to open-up and build. We are working on obtaining permission for this section, along with raising the necessary funds to carry out the remainder of the works to complete the route.”
The path order can be read on the Highland Council website
More information on The Peffery Way can be found here
