A Mearns caravan park owner has hit out at the neglect of a coastal footpath which he claims is in danger of disappearing altogether unless the local authority takes urgent action to tackle erosion.
The path, which runs from St Cyrus to Inverbervie and is well used by visitors, falls within the coastal strip designated as an area of regeneration, with an initial £75,000 from the government being made available to kick-start projects considered a priority by the communities concerned.
However, as consultation got under way this week in St Cyrus on where the money should be spent, Stewart Scott of Miltonhaven Caravan Park claimed it would be “criminal” if any was used to carry out repairs on the footpath which he said should be the responsibility of the local authority.
While tourism was recognised as an important part of the local economy and the path which runs through the national nature reserve at St Cyrus was a key attraction to visitors, he said, a considerable stretch remained out of use due to erosion on top of the cliffs and two bridges near his property were in a danger of collapse.
He went on, “If there are no bridges, there is no footpath, and these bridges are going to collapse.
“I have been pressing the council since last November for something to be done but nothing has happened, except for the work I’ve done myself with hammer and nails.”
He said the council estimate for work needed to the bridge over the Finella burn was £15,000, and £8000 for works to the Mill of Mathers bridge over the Lauriston burn.
But Mr Scott claimed the scale of the work could have been reduced if action had been taken sooner.
“Now it could cost around £23,000 to open up the path again and make it safe for people to use. That would be around one third of the regeneration budget,” he said.
“But I think it would be criminal if any of that money was used for these bridge repairs which should be done from council resources.”
The designation of the coastal strip of Kincardine and the Mearns as a regeneration zone was intended to build on existing knowledge and form an action plan for development, said Aberdeenshire Council area manager Willie Munro.
The priorities listed for attention were transport, childcare, skills and employment, mental health and wellbeing and the physical environment, and consultation was being undertaken via a questionnaire being distributed throughout schools, libraries and businesses.
“I would encourage people living in the area’s coastal communities to take part and help us identify the things which require to be done and how,” said Mr Munro.
“Greater collective knowledge of the issues will enable the delivery of better solutions.”