Formartine and Buchan Way users continue to enjoy benefits of improvements
Ongoing improvements to the Formartine and Buchan Way have made the route an even better space for users to enjoy.
During the past year, those walking, wheeling, cycling and horse riding have really started to enjoy the benefits of the upgrades which began in 2023, which make the route safer, more welcoming and easier to access.
Across three phases between Newmachar and Ellon, more than 3.2km of path surface has been replaced, in excess of 3km of replacement drainage has been installed and 215m of the existing unbound path has been improved.
Five access control points onto the route have also been upgraded, making the Formartine and Buchan Way more accessible and safer for a wider range of users. In addition to these access control point improvements, a further three have been upgraded south of Newmachar and 19 between Fraserburgh and Maud.
New Riverside Road access control and path upgrade
As part of the rolling works programme, a further seven bespoke hardwood bridge kits were purchased for future installation on the route.
These further improvements to the route were made possible by Scottish Government funding managed by Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans) and Nestrans funding. They were developed and delivered through a partnership between Aberdeenshire Council and the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust.
Once fully completed, the works – part of which form a major realignment of the existing National Cycle Network – will enable even more people to walk, wheel and cycle, along with equestrian use, from Newmachar to Auchnagatt and beyond. The completion of this work has improved the experience for users already and facilitates more people gaining from the benefits the route provides.
Similar Scottish Government and Nestrans funding has been secured again this financial year along with investment from Aberdeenshire Council’s Capital Budget programme to deliver the next phases of improvements and take forward development work.
The next phase of improvements - which are aimed for completion in the Spring of 2026, include:
• Up to 2.1km of replacement path drainage and path surface improvements
• Upgrading of 12 access control points between Maud and Peterhead and south of Newmachar
• Replacement of further active travel bridges as part of the ongoing rolling programme of improvements
• Development of proposals to improve the U109b road crossing point north of Ellon with an active travel bridge
• Development of proposals to improve and upgrade the sections of the route between Maud and Peterhead and Maud and Fraserburgh to designate them as part of the National Cycle Network (NCN)
As work progresses, disruption to route users will be kept to a minimum, although it will result in the temporary closure of sections of the route at times.
These will be signposted locally along with diversions where possible and publicised on the council’s website.
Cllr Alan Turner, chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee and vice-chair of the Nestrans board, said: “I am delighted to see such good progress being made on the improvements to the Formartine and Buchan Way and it’s great to see our communities using the updated sections already. Thanks to the generous funding, the inclusion of new path surfacing, drainage and access upgrades are key to ensuring the line becomes an even greater attraction for both local residents and visitors to the area.
“Whether you are walking or cycling, use a wheelchair or mobility scooter or are an equestrian user, the Formartine and Buchan Way is a great asset to enjoy the great outdoors and take in our wonderful scenery. As a council we continue to make tremendous inroads into improving health and wellbeing in our communities and a key focus of those efforts is to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier for everyday shorter journeys.”
Chris Brace, principal network development manager at Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, added: “We are delighted to continue working alongside partners to upgrade the Formartine and Buchan Way. Making these improvements means more and more people can access the route and reap the benefits of getting active. Once the full upgrades are complete, we will be able to realign National Cycle Network Route 1 – taking users away from the road and onto a safe, enjoyable traffic-free path. This is good news for the National Cycle Network and good news for Aberdeenshire.”