Critics aiming to put a spoke in cycle and walking paths plan

ARBROATH: £13m town scheme will be discussed in detail at public meeting

Critics of a scheme to install paths on Arbroath’s town centre dual carriageway say it will hamper emergency services.

The town’s residents will get the inside track on the £13 million plan to install cycle and pedestrian routes at a public meeting being held tomorrow.

Supporters say the scheme will “reunite” both sides of the town divided by the dual carriageway and improve access for walkers and pedestrians.

Detractors argue there is no demand for the paths and they will delay emergency services, including lifeboat crews, from helping those in need.

Critics have also hit out at the £5.4m contribution the cash-strapped local authority will have to make .

Alex Smith, Arbroath RNLI operations manager, is opposed on the grounds of cost and public safety.

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It is important that the people of Arbroath attend this meeting. ALEX SMITH

He said: “It is important that the people of Arbroath attend this meeting – whether they are for it or against it.

“We will find out what people think tomorrow, but everyone I have spoken to seems totally opposed to this plan.”

He said the construction work would lead to two years of disruption as well as creating delays for crewmen trying to reach the lifeboat station.

Angus Council was one of five national winners in a fiercely-contested battle for almost £7m of Sustrans Scotland and Transport Scotland Places for Everyone funding.

The council is expected to contribute “significantly less” than £5.4m of its own money into the scheme.

The final report on the project was published last April, promising to “enhance the streetscape” of the A92, increase biodiversity with areas of local planting and create an “attractive and safe place for people to walk and cycle.”

It is hoped the project will increase the number of everyday trips taken by bike by at least 10%.

After winning the funding, the council published a statement highlighting it was “the first time a town rather than city has achieved such an award”.

The team behind the plan will give a presentation at the meeting in the Webster Theatre at 6.30pm tomorrow.