Path is improved

Community members are paving the way to safe leisurely strolls. Forehill, Holmston and Masonhill Community Council ( FHMCC) have been working tirelessly alongside Councillor Chris Cullen to improve and smooth out the path in Castlehill woods, leaving walkers with a newly resurfaced platform under their feet. The latest addition to the revamp project saw John McGuire, chairman of the community council, and Councillor Cullen working in the rain last month to relay some gravel to the one kilometre track. Councillor Cullen said: “As it was a wet Saturday I didn’t expect many people to be using the path but the many who did were extremely thankful. “They said it was a vast improvement and great benefit for the whole community to use for fitness, leisure, educational purposes and reconnecting with nature.” The pair, along with other commmunity councillors, have put a great deal of effort in the project and have even involved the Community Payback team to help push the project on. John McGuire said: “The poor condition of the paths in Castlehill woods caught attention. “We became aware the community council was able to access cash for the repair and maintenance of the paths that the council could not. “We worked with the council and we agreed that our immediate priority would be a one- kilometre circuit. “We discussed with Community Payback if they could supply labour to lay down gravel and the first length of path was completed.” Councillor Cullen added: “Before I became a councillor I was semi active within the community council and for at least four years I was aware of the Castlehill Woods project. “This project has had a lot of background work including walking and assessing the paths, plotting potential walking routes, speaking with locals who used the paths and local schools. “The Criminal Justice department have carried out some maintenance to one of the worst areas in the woods - giving a vital boost to the project.” The team will be making further progress on the path throughout the summer.