The improved active travel route at the North Inch in Perth is complete and will allow more enjoyable and safer walking, cycling and wheeling experiences.

Over 265 m of the National Cycle Network route 77 (NCN 77) has been repaired and levelled out to help commuters, residents and visitors to Perth to benefit from improved physical and mental health and wellbeing and reduced carbon emissions through active travel.

The active travel upgrade project at North Inch is part of a wider £250,000 NCN 77 cycle / foot path (core path METH/2) improvement project ongoing at Almondbank as well.

These NCN 77 works are happening as part of the development of the River Tay Way – a new long-distance walking and cycling route between Perth and Kenmore following the mighty River Tay and connecting Perth, Luncarty, Stanley, Dunkeld and Birnam, Aberfeldy and Kenmore through a ‘daisy chain’ of community links to enable low-carbon, active travel and additional local economic income for the area.

NCN 77 active travel route at North inch after improvement works

Andrew Barrie, Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT) Strategic Routes Officer, who is managing the project, said:

This section of path was particularly uneven due to tree roots, so we have put in root protection measures and levelled out the path for a much smoother ride or walk.

The new surface will also be more resilient to adverse weather conditions, meaning active travel in and out of Perth will be an option all year round.

Sustrans Scotland Head of Network Tom Bishop said:

The impact of coronavirus means that many people will be choosing to explore their local walking and cycling routes this summer.

We hope that improvements to Route 77 will make travelling along the path even easier and safer for visitors and residents in Perth as they explore the local area.

The work is being funded by Sustrans, whose aim is to ensure that the people of Scotland have access to a network of safe walking and cycling routes, and is being delivered by PKCT.

Sustrans Scotland:  Sustrans is the charity making it easier for people to walk and cycle. We connect people and places, create liveable neighbourhoods, transform the school run and deliver a happier, healthier commute. Join us on our journey. www.sustrans.org.uk