Work has started on a new Green Route allowing people to walk and cycle across Cumbernauld.
The new 2.3km path will run from Abronhill to the town centre, connecting local communities and facilities and is being created by North Lanarkshire Council and Green Action Trust (GATrust).
The route stretches from Yule Way, Carbrain to Cedar Road, Abronhill, linking to Carbrain Primary School and running track, Kildrum Primary School, the new Kildrum play area, Kildrum Family Learning Centre, Red Burn bridge and Abronhill Primary School.
Improvements will be made to paths and road crossings, including a new toucan pedestrian crossing and four raised islands where the route crosses streets leading to Clouden Road, Kildrum, and two underpasses, at North Carbrain Road, and a bridge at Kildrum Road will be refurbished.
Along the route, there will be trees and ornamental planting, a wildflower meadow, seating areas, natural play equipment, picnic areas and decorative path features.
The £551,000 project is being funded by the Scottish Government Town Centre Funds via the council, and Transport Scotland through Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme, and delivered by GATrust. The idea for the project was developed by Cumbernauld Living Landscape Partnership, a dedicated team within Scottish Wildlife Trust.
The Green Action Trust will work alongside project partners to manage the delivery of the route. Mike Batley, Development Officer at GATrust, said: “The Green Action Network aims to connect communities and local amenities, and projects like these are helping to achieve this across central Scotland and promote healthy, active lifestyles.
"Cumbernauld Living Landscape has developed a green active travel route that supports everyday journeys within the communities to schools, shops and workplaces, and links greenspaces along it so that people can enjoy safe, attractive spaces to walk and cycle."
Green Action Trust is a registered charity and a not-for-profit organisation, tasked with driving forward the delivery of the Central Scotland Green Network.