Transport Scotland has announced that the preferred route for a new segregated 10km route for walking, cycling, wheeling and horse riding between the communities of Aviemore and Carrbridge has now been identified.

The preferred route will provide a safer, more direct route between both locations and will also link up with existing Non-Motorised User (NMU) routes in the area. The new route will also provide an opportunity for circular trips between Aviemore, Carrbridge and Boat of Garten by using the existing Speyside Way.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Transport Graeme Dey said: "The Scottish Government is committed to promoting active travel in Scotland and making sustainable travel choices easier for all. As part of that commitment, Transport Scotland is working with the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA), The Highland Council (THC), Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS) and Sustrans to deliver the Aviemore to Carrbridge Non-Motorised User (NMU) route.

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"Last year we shared emerging route options with local communities, cyclists, equestrians and walkers to let them have their say. Following further design work, an assessment of the route options and feedback from the virtual consultation, we have now identified a preferred route. This is a significant milestone for the project and we look forward to continuing our positive engagement on this project with CNPA, THC, HITRANS and Sustrans.

"The next stage of the process is to obtain planning consent and the necessary land and rights to construct the NMU route. We will be undertaking another public consultation event in Spring 2022 in advance of submitting a planning application and I would urge anyone with an interest in this scheme to engage with this event to provide the project team with valuable feedback and local insight."

The Scottish Government is working on a range of policy initiatives designed to see transformational change and help meet its net zero ambitions and climate change targets for transport, including the commitment to reduce car kilometres by 20% by 2030.