THE first phase of a new walking and cycling path at Rosneath is set to be constructed thanks to £250,000 of Sustrans Scotland funding.

The money will be used to begin work on a safe route for pedestrians and cyclists to and from the Rosneath Castle Caravan Park to the south of the village.

Funding from the national charity’s Community Links programme, provided through Transport Scotland’s Sustainable Transport team, is awarded to local authorities, other statutory bodies and educational institutions, to create a cycle network infrastructure for everyday journeys.

The funding means that Argyll and Bute Council can now start to prepare for construction of the path.

Councillor Aileen Morton, leader of Argyll and Bute Council, said: “There has been a long standing desire from the local community for a safe and well-designed off road walking and cycling link between Rosneath and Rosneath Castle Caravan Park.

"This welcome funding from Sustrans Scotland will allow phase one of the path to be constructed.

“As a council we are committed to doing what we can to encourage our communities to live active and healthy lives.

"We look forward to see the project being completed and we will continue to work with partners including Sustrans, Paths for All and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, to continually improve facilities for cyclists and walkers in Argyll and Bute.”

The new safe cycling and walking route will be built in accordance with the Sustrans design guidelines and is being funded from an overall £396,000 Community Links Programme award to the council.

Sustrans Scotland's community links manager, Tom Bishop, added: “We hope this funding will help to encourage more people living in Argyll and Bute to walk and cycle for more of the journeys them make every day.

“We look forward to working with the council to ensure the successful delivery of the project.”