CHANGES ON THE OLD DEESIDE LINE

THE section of Old Deeside Line within Aberdeen , from Duthie Park to Peterculter, is a very popular walking, cycling and horse riding route. It is managed byAberdeen City Council Parks and Countryside Unit through the Ranger Service. Not only does it provide an attractive recreational walk, but it is part of the City’s Green Transport Network providing a safe walking and cycling route into the City Centre. This will soon be enhanced with the reconstruction of the footbridges over Hardgate and Holburn Street with funding from the Scottish Executive.

The Old Deeside Line is also an important wildlife corridor allowing a wide range of plants, insects, birds and other animals to move between the rural areas beyond the City boundary into the heart of the City.

To help co-ordinate the different requirements of the area, the Ranger Service will be putting together an overall

management plan for the Line during the summer. This will include long term visions for the wildlife habitats; interpretation, including the historical importance of the area and its wildlife; waymarking, including links into the surrounding path networks and promotion of the Line to both locals and visitors to the area.

Once the first draft of the plan has been put together there will be opportunities for the local community to comment on the plans and to make suggestions probably via the relevant Community Councils.

An important part of the Plan will be to highlight areas where the local community can help with some of the practical work on the ground and to input into the interpretation. Countryside Officer Ian Talboys said, ‘If you have any recollections or stories about the Line, we would be pleased to hear from you either by phone on 01224 897400 or email at lochinch@arts-rec.aberdeen.net.uk.

In March this year, tree planting took place in the Culter area of the Railway line. (see elsewhere in this issue for details). Ian Talboys said, ‘In just a couple of hours, the local people had made a huge contribution to the management of the Line and! hope this is something that can continue in the future. With the continued support of the local community we can arrange further days as part of our Volunteer Work Programme for next autumn and winter.’

Watch out for more information about these exciting developments in the Chronicle and in the local press.

IAN TALBOYS

Countryside Officer

01224 897400