Background
Broadford Environmental Group was constituted in May 2000 with the aim of improving the environment around Broadford, leading towards economic regeneration within the area.
A key objective within this aim is to improve walking opportunities around the area. As part of this work, the Group were fortunate to have the assistance of the Highland Access Project (a Highland Council Planning and Development Service initiative) who commissioned a report "Developing a Path Network for Broadford" from Donaldson Environmental Consultants in Glasgow. This report was delivered at the end of November 2002 and suggested a number of potential sources of funding for the planned work, one of which was the recently announced Scottish Executive Community Environmental Renewal Scheme (CERS).
Project description
With assistance from the Highland Council Ranger Service (also part of the Highland Council Planning and Development Service) the Group applied for funding to:
- create a footpath using part of the track bed of a former marble quarry railway from Broadford to Kilchrist, locally known as the Marble Line
- construct a link path on the line of a derelict 19 th century road from Corriechatachan (the Corry link path).
The Corry link path part of the project included the replacement of a long derelict footbridge across the Broadford River. The objective was to create a circular all-abilities walking route, away from traffic and linking with other walking opportunities in the area.
Project costs
The Group were awarded a grant of £48,760 from the Community Environmental Renewal Scheme in respect of this project. This amount of grant allowed for:
1) Completion of a first phase (major upgrade to all-abilities standard of approximately 1.7km of the total 4.42 km of the Marble Line route);
2) Minor upgrade (basically resolving drainage problems and constructing isolated short sections of path over wet ground) of the Corry link path;
3) The construction of a replacement footbridge across the Broadford River at Corriechatachan.
Additional funding from Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise
The original hope was that competitive bidding between contractors would bring the costs down to a level at which the Group could afford to undertake a full upgrade of the Corry link path with the funds available. However, this was not the case - with the addition of VAT, the successful quote (from local contractor Craik and MacRae) came in extremely close to the estimated costs.
The shortfall in funding to undertake this work was an estimated £14,712. The Group approached Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise at this point and they offered to make the total funding available for the project up to £65,000 with a contribution of £16,240. This additional grant allowed a major upgrade of the Corry link path.
Marble Line Phase 2
Broadford Environmental Development Group applie for further funding from the Community Environmental Renewal Scheme with the hope of completing the full extent of the Marble Line project within 2003-04.
Conclusions
This work was completed within schedule and to a high standard of finish. The contractor appointed was able to make good progress with favourable weather throughout despite a challenging timetable. A recent trial by a local resident using a powered wheelchair has proved all of the new pathwork including the bridge to be accessible to this mode of transport.
Contact
Broadford Environmental Development Group
11 Upper Breakish
Isle of Skye
IV42 8PY
Telephone: 01471 822335
Email: alanduff2@aol.com