Over £40,000 of path upgrade works to the historic Coronation Road path at Northlees are complete and open for the public to enjoy.

Coronation Road at Northlees path before and after path improvement works

The project on the stretch of ancient road leading to Deuchny Wood saw 380 m of accessible path surface laid, over 600 m² of gorse cleared, over 480 m of fencing installed, with drainage cleared and culverts fitted to help keep the section of path dry.

Morag Watson, PKCT Manager, said:

The views of the rolling countryside and across the Tay from this section of path are amazing, and it was such a shame that they were so obstructed by gorse. The new path improvement works included cutting back the encroaching plants, sorting out drainage and laying a surfaced path that will allow walkers to better admire the views without having to dodge thorny bushes or mind muddy bits underfoot.

Part of the path with overhanging gorse before works

PKCT Communities Officer Bid Strachan, who managed the project, said:

We want to thank the landowners again for working with us to improve the path. Fencing and signage have been installed along this 380 m section of path to help mitigate sheep worrying by dogs, which they have had problems with over many years.

Additional part of Coronation Road at Northlees path before and after path improvement works

The Coronation Road core path improvements at Northlees were funded by SUEZ Communities Trust (formerly SITA Trust).

SUEZ Communities Trust provides funding awards through the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund – an important source of funding which came into effect in April 2015. The scheme is linked to the Scottish Landfill Tax and encourages landfill site operators to provide contributions to approved bodies, who can then pass the funds onto community and environmental projects.

For information on how to apply for funding from SUEZ Communities Trust, call 01454 262910 or visit www.suezcommunitiestrust.org.uk.

The path upgrade will contribute to the Tay Landscape Partnership (Tay LP) – an exciting four-year project delivering £2.6 million of work in the landscapes where the Rivers Tay and Earn meet. With major support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the project is being delivered by PKCT and the Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust to enable locals and visitors to reconnect with the natural, built and cultural heritage of the area.