A section of the Broughty Ferry to Monifieth Active Travel scheme creating a segregated cycle/footway on the Esplanade between the Urban Beach restaurant and Bridge Street worth around £1 million is due to be considered next week.

According to The Courier, council documents have revealed the project’s costs have now shot up to more than £18m – double the original estimate. A report shows the council had to seek approval for additional funding for the work to allow it to be completed on time.

Mark Flynn, convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee, said: “We have made considerable positive progress so far and this next section will continue to keep up that momentum.

“Travelling on foot and by bike has never been more important for our health and wellbeing and the improvements to the route and its surroundings will encourage many more locals and visitors to be able to access and enjoy our stunning coastline as the scheme moves towards completion.”

Funded by the Scottish Government through Sustrans Scotland’s Places for Everyone programme, the coastal path project aims to provide a continuous off-road route between Dundee and Monifieth.

During late 2019 and early 2020, hundreds of people in Broughty Ferry and Monifieth had their say on draft concept designs for improving the coastal path, including improvements to the beach access, as well as links between the coast and the towns.

The exercise found support for the multi-million-pound proposals, with more than three-quarters of people in favour of the designs that were presented. Comments on the draft have been used by the project team to help influence the plans and implementation of the scheme going forward.

Cllr Kevin Cordell, the council’s cycling spokesperson, added: “As the route starts to take shape and the vision becomes a reality on the ground, the scale and impact of what we are doing is becoming obvious.

“With that the benefits to cyclists, present and future, are becoming clearer and I am delighted to see the contract for the next phase coming forward.”

As well as the new section, the bid by Tayside Contracts also includes provision of additional street lighting to illuminate it and connection paths.

Upgrades to the city’s sporting infrastructure could come into play at the start of the new school year if councillors also back the move.

The city development committee will be asked to approve an £89,000 contract for a new multi-use games area (MUGA) at Grove Academy and £218,000 for a new hardwood floor at Dundee International Sports Complex (DISC).

Steven Rome depute committee convener said: “Ensuring that our communities have opportunities to enjoy sport and leisure activities using the best possible facilities is key to reducing inequalities in health.

“By making investments like this in new amenities in our communities we will also help to deliver safer and stronger localities.”

If approved Doe Sports (North) will design, supply and install a new MUGA sports facility at Grove Academy, including drainage, fencing and equipment. Work is expected to be completed by the summer.

Meanwhile at DISC, the works, using Dundee City Council’s construction services division as the proposed contractor, include the complete lifting and renewing of the existing hardwood sports floor in the game hall and new line markings, and if approved are scheduled to be completed by the end of the summer.

The city development committee meets on Monday.