A decade-long project to restore one of the city’s most popular riverside walks culminated in the path’s official opening.
Scores of people turned up as Will Dawson, convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee, cut the ribbon to open the final section of the walkway between Stannergate and Douglas Terrace in Broughty Ferry.
“I’m not going to say too much because the actual walkway says it all,” he said. “I want to thank Sustrans and the contractor for working through the winter to get it done.
“As funding has become available, from a number of different sources, we have worked diligently along the full length of the mile-long walkway.
“Since 2003 almost £1.5m has been spent to stabilise sections of the path, resurface the cycle lane and pedestrian walkway, tidy up the verges, put in signage and provide seating.”
The path is part of the National Cycle Network Route One and a key part of the City of Dundee Green Circular cycle route.
City council engineer Martin Lorimer, who was project manager on the work, said: “This is a culmination of 10 years’ work.
“This is the last section that required upgrade. Funding came from Sustrans, vacant and derelict land fund and our own capital.
“It’s been 10 years and I think it’s a brilliant facility for the people of Dundee. This was at the point of collapse so to keep it open is absolutely brilliant.”
Ferry councillors were out in force at the opening.
Council leader Ken Guild said: “I’m absolutely delighted with this. The condition of it has been an issue for many years.
“I think the contractors have done an amazing job considering this was carried out last winter. We’re delighted that it’s open and cyclists are already making their way down it.”
Councillor Laurie Bidwell added: “I welcome the completion of the upgrading to the section of coastal pathway that runs between Grassy Beach and Douglas Terrace.
“This has local and wider significance. For local people, this pathway is valued for walking, cycling and dog walking while folk enjoy the pleasures of river views and segregation from motor traffic.
“These connections mean that cyclists can now ride most of the way to Arbroath off road or via quiet back roads and it is on the flat too.
“Additionally, the extra width of this latest section of the pathway will make it easier for the sailors to manoeuvre their sailing craft on their trailers between the roadway at Douglas Terrace and their boat sheds at Grassy Beach.”
Mr Bidwell pointed to a 100-year-old plan to improve links between the city and the Ferry.
“Interestingly in this centenary year of Broughty Ferry becoming part of Dundee, one of the promised benefits from this merger was an improvement in roads and paths between Broughty Ferry and Dundee,” he said.
“This commitment led to the foresight of the former Broughty Ferry Town Council that secured the grassy beach at West Ferry in 1901 at an annual fee of £25.
“Thankfully the upgrading work from one end to the other will secure this important community asset for many years to come.
“Thanks are deserved to Sustrans, the national sustainable transport charity that were major funders and the council’s transportation staff.
“The workforce of Kilmac, the contractors, also deserve praise for ingeniously keeping the pathway open while they undertook the upgrading work apart from a few days when a period of temporary closure could not be avoided.”