Plans have been approved to carry out a cycleway repairs project in Aberdeen.

The National Cycle Network 1 route at Wellington Brae suffered severe damage after being damaged during a storm in February 2016.

The inclement weather caused tree roots, which were planted close to the path’s retaining wall, to burst through the Victorian dyke wall and lead to its partial collapse in one area. Several other areas were also identified as likely to fail.

Sustrans Scotland was successfully approached with 100% of the estimated necessary funding of up to £250,000 subsequently being made available to cover the costs to reinstate the path. The funding would be split across two financial years, with the majority of funds being made available in 2017/18.

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A report said an initial allocation was spent on immediate emergency shoring up work and tree removal, topographical survey, land search, design of the permanent solution for the retaining wall, landscaping and drainage. Emergency works included placing steel containment barriers along the length of the wall and were further reinforced to block unsafe entry until the permanent works could be completed.

In addition, the report said prior to the permanent works commencing to replace the retaining wall to modern standards, regulatory approval to undertake works to trees adjacent to the retaining wall was secured and a works contract was awarded. These works began on 20 April.

However, the report added in light of potential governance issues being raised including with regards the proper process of approval of the Sustrans external funding and the delivery of the works, the works contract has been suspended pending the committee meeting, and a formal investigation lead is underway, the outcome of which will be the subject of a separate report to the audit and risk committee in September 2017.

(LM)