Approval for contractor to carry out £1.4m first phase of Broughty Ferry active travel scheme

At their meeting on Monday, members of the city development committee will be approved a bid from Wates Construction Ltd under the Scape Framework, using McLaughlin & Harvey Construction Ltd as the sub-contractor, to carry out the work, worth around £1.4million.

Speaking before the meeting, Councillor Mark Flynn, committee convener said: “This work naturally follows on from the Broughty Ferry flood protection scheme and as well as boosting the active travel infrastructure, will extend access to the beach front.

“Appointing the contractors who have already successfully delivered parts of the scheme means they can use the existing site compound, as well as provide continuity of work for local sub-contractors and maximise community wealth opportunities.”

Work will extend access to the beach front by providing a four-metre wide shared path from the junction with St Vincent Street along the west side of Castle Approach, to the beach front and a five-metre wide shared path along the beach front extending to the west edge of Windmill car park.

The sea defence wall along the beach front will be re-faced with a natural stone in keeping with the local historic buildings.

Local natural stone will also be used for paths and walls creating a finish consistent with the work already carried out along the waterfront.

It is expected that work will be completed before the summer months when Castle Green and the beach front are most popular.

Funded by the Scottish Government through Sustrans Scotland’s Places for Everyone programme, the overall £9m coastal path project will provide a continuous off-road route between Dundee and Monifieth.

Central to the scheme is the connection of Windmill Gardens to Castle Green and a new bridge over the Dighty on the Monifieth section.

Developed by Dundee City Council in consultation with Sustrans, the Windmill Gardens link will help to create a through-route for longer-distance journeys on the National Cycle Network Route 1 and options for people in local communities who may prefer shorter walks and rides.