Flood damage to a £300,000 Angus cycle path is forcing riders on to a narrow rural road, it has been claimed.
Carnoustie cyclist Hugh Wylie (64) said people are veering on to the road between Carnoustie and Easthaven due to the poor state of the designated route for bikes.
Angus Council confirmed soil had been swept on to the track in recent months following flooding caused by storms and bad weather.
Works to remove the mud and install better drainage are due to commence on Tuesday and the path has been closed in the meantime.
Mr Wylie claimed urgent repairs are required to the track which he described as a “huge asset” to cyclists, walkers and runners.
“There were two bits that suffered huge flooding and other parts that are still under water or mud that is several inches thick,” he said.
“The other day I was watching from the road and a family with a small child were struggling through it. It has been on the go since Christmas when we got all that dreadful rain.
“I know they are making new cycle paths at Elliot, but it would be great if they could maintain the existing ones too.”
Mr Wylie said cyclists were taking their lives in their hands by using the narrow coastal road between the two towns where he claimed a number of cars have come off the road.
Completed in 2009, the two kilometre stretch cost around £320,000 and forms part of the Sustrans network running around the UK.
A spokesman for Angus Council said: “When the cycle track was created we raised the level of the surface and installed drainage to stop the track becoming flooded.
“However, the severe weather over the past few months has caused a large amount of soil to be washed on to the track, requiring it to be closed meantime.
“Engineers have investigated the situation and have been in discussion with the adjoining landowner, and have agreed further measures with him.
“Additional works including the installation of further drainage are scheduled to begin on Tuesday February 26 to alleviate the problem.
“We are expecting a timescale from the contractor soon, for completion of the works, but the track is closed meantime.”
In October, treasurer of Angus Cycling Club, Bryan Williams, claimed cyclists will often use roads rather than risk damaging their bikes on the cycle paths.
He said the county’s cycle routes were generally not in a good state, often covered in road debris and bits of glass.
Angus Council has completed a £200,000 cycle path from Easthaven to the site of the former Dowrie Works in Arbroath, forming a continuous connection to the limits of Dundee City Council.
There are a number of cycle routes in the county covering towns and rural areas.
The Forfar route covers a three-mile and a 10-mile journey, Carnoustie a six-mile and a 14-mile and Montrose a four-and-a-half-mile and a 12-mile.
Illustrated leaflets, with colour maps and detailed directions for each route, are available from the council on 08452 777 778.