Kingswells Community Council

 See the response to the Core Path Network consultation.

Consultative Draft Core Paths Plan

After studying the above document and maps, Kingswells Community Council (KCC) now wishes to make the following comments.

We feel that this has been a well researched, clearly documented piece of work.

The aims and initiatives are clearly beneficial to the people of Aberdeen encouraging recreation, education and healthy outdoor pursuits.

Under this proposal, many of the original walks around Kingswells will be made circular in nature by the addition of a loop or a new connection to other paths. This will make them a much more pleasurable experience. (For example - on Brimmond Hill)

1. Information on Paths

We would also like to see much more informative leaflets being produced to encourage people to use the paths. Aberdeen Countryside Project has produced a leaflet called "Bucksburn Valley -A Guide to Walking and Cycling" and we think this is an excellent example of literature showing local walks, history, archaeology, wildlife and fauna. 

1. Concerns over maintenance and management.

We would like to voice our concerns over the long term maintenance of any new paths. Around Kingswells we already have a plethora of wonderful paths which, over the last few years, have fallen into disrepair due to the following reasons.

• 2.1 Drainage problems. Many paths are used very frequently and become very muddy -especially in winter.

• 2.2 Aberdeen City Council has previously closed off access by putting up fencing. The paths become impassable very quickly due to overgrowth of vegetation. For example, fencing was put up across the path beside Webster Park (marked "42 A") which soon became overgrown with thistles and nettles.

• 2.3 Landowners do not always maintain paths and remove precarious fallen trees which have blown across paths.

KCC would like assurances that a suitable budget is set aside yearly, for maintenance of any proposed new paths as well as the existing paths.

1. Objection to Candidate Core Path -Number 43

KCC strongly oppose Candidate Core Path - Number 43 and urge that it should NOT be considered for the following reasons.

The route is at odds with Aim 5 (Objective 1, 2 and 3) and the criteria relating to Environmental Protection and Sustainability.

• 3.1 The route would cut directly across Burnbrae Moss which is designated as a District Wildlife Site.

• 3.2 There is no existing crossing of the Moss, so the site would be damaged by constructing a path/track.

• 3.3 The extensive gorse and heather could easily be exposed to malicious fire-raising.

• 3.4 There is threatened wildlife on the Moss which can already be viewed from a safe distance from existing paths. Curlews, linnets and yellowhammers breed there. The latter two birds are "red listed" by the RSPB. Curlews are "amber listed".

• 3.5 There is at least one badger set on Burnbrae Moss.

• 3.6 There is a need to minimise the disturbance of wildlife from access of unleashed dogs to Burnbrae Moss.

We do not want a direct track across this sensitive biodiversity area. We would rather see the established paths which connect Kingswells and Bucksburn to be upgraded.

1. Quality of Life issues for the People of Kingswells

• 4.1 Kingswells Community Council represents those in our community who have expressed concerns to us over Candidate Core Path -Number 43 as this particular route would become a motorbike and mini-moto run between the two communities. These motorised vehicles are often illegally used on similar paths and are very difficult for the police to chase or stop the riders. These vehicles cause considerable noise and disruption.

• 4.2 It is important that Kingswells residents do not suffer any more light pollution in our village. The proposed AWPR will cause the village to be flooded with light pollution adding to the Kingswells Park and Ride Car Park which is lit up every night ( and all through the night) We wish to retain dark countryside on the North side of our village for balance and do not want any more lit paths.

5. Objection to Cycle Route along Candidate Core Path -Number 43

KCC members attended a consultation workshop on the 11th December at Bankhead Academy on proposed cycle routes connecting Bucksburn to Kingswells. At this workshop, we were informed that although an initial study was commencing - no route had been identified so could not be discussed. However, we now see that Core Path No. 43 had already been identified. 

5.1 We would instead, urge ACC to consider a cycle path alongside the existing Kingswells /Newhills/ Bucksburn Road. This road will become considerably quieter once the AWPR is built and would be an ideal new cycle route. (The cycle route which is being installed at present along the main roadside from Kingswells to Aberdeen is a very good example of this positioning.)   

Please contact Kingswells Community Council if you require any assistance or clarification on the above points.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely

Barrie T. Buchan (Mrs)

Chair

Kingswells Community Council