Aberdeenshire Council, in partnership with The Haughs Regeneration Steering Group, has developed a scheme which will see the installation of lighting, a ramp structure at the underpass and path upgrades within the popular area.

Such improvements will enhance accessibility for people using The Haughs and encourage more active travel journeys within this green recreational space.

The project was identified through earlier community engagement activities in Turriff and, thanks to the efforts of the dedicated steering group, significant progress has been made to take the project from an aspirational dream to reality.

Aberdeenshire Council has helped secure both internal and external funding which has supported the various feasibility, design and construction stages.

This final phase of the project has been made possible thanks to funding from the Place Based Investment Programme, the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and the council’s own Environment and Sustainability budget.

Councillor Iain Taylor, chair of the council’s Formartine Area Committee, said: “I am delighted to see The Haughs improved access project reach the construction stage. It is reassuring to see that the partnership approach taken by the steering group to deliver on the aspirations of the wider community can achieve such improvements which will benefit users of The Haughs.

“The work of council officers to collaborate between services – and to secure the vital funding for each and every stage of the project – has been essential to get to this final which will deliver an enhanced recreational space in Turriff for many years to come.”

While there will be some disruption during the coming months within the construction area, contractor Hunter Construction (Aberdeen) Ltd will keep this to a minimum wherever possible and park users are asked to be mindful of these work areas and observe all safety measures.