A special meeting of the council held yesterday saw members hear an update on the Arbroath A Place for Everyone project including details of the final estimated cost for delivery.

Arbroath, A Place For Everyone will provide an exemplary walking, wheeling and cycling route, accessible to all, connecting destinations throughout Arbroath and improving accessibility in the town by restoring those areas and facilities disconnected by the current road, creating a seafront people will increasingly want to use. The project also aims help to improve the local economy through increased footfall to shopping areas and attractions for locals and visitors.

Financial support for the project was awarded under the Sustrans Places for Everyone programme in 2019. The Arbroath project is amongst the most ambitious projects being funded by the Places for Everyone programme, with Arbroath the first of Scotland’s towns to receive the highest level of funding available through the scheme. This funding is only available for this project and had it not been agreed, the funding would have been lost.

Leader of Angus Council, Cllr Beth Whiteside, said: “I am delighted that members have agreed to move forward with this once-in-a-lifetime project which will be a catalyst for the development of further projects to support the regeneration of the town.

“If the devastating events of this last week have taught us anything, it is that we must look at the effects of climate change on our environment and act accordingly.

“Improving our towns and communities, making them a greener place to live and encouraging a low carbon lifestyle is a vital part of the longer-term future for the whole of Angus.”

Construction on the project is scheduled to start in January 2024 with an estimated completion date of July 2025.