‘SCD would like to advise the community it is working through the issues that have been brought forward by members of the community regarding the installation of the paths in Tomatin.
Just a quick recap, the paths project has been a very longstanding project since 2007. It has gone through various stages by members of the community, previous volunteer SCD Boards and Community Councils. Section 8 originated on the east side but due to residents’ concerns was moved to the west side as per the current plans on SCD website.
The current drawings which were formulated in 2016/18 did not meet The Highland Councils (THC) adoptable standard specifications. In the main it was the surface which THC required to be made of tarmac to allow it to meet the adoptable standards as they will be maintaining the paths going forward .Any other surface would have meant the community would have been left with the expensive maintenance burden.
In 2021 at the AGM the community strongly expressed they wanted some form of street lighting on section 8 as it would enhance the safety aspect of the path. As this was not previously budgeted for or consulted on, it was agreed that SCD would as part of the project install the infrastructure to future proof it. This was done at a cost of £450 during the construction phase opposed to thousands to retrofit it for the future generations of the community.
Every other aspect has not been changed including the timber edging in the original plans as there was a desire from the community to see a path which was less of an urban style in a semi-rural setting.
The plans/drawings were made available on SCD website, and the link posted to The Strathdearn FB page along with drawings/plans emailed to people who asked for them in February 2022. Further updates included within the community newsletter.
Between the date of communicating the plans/drawings and the commencement of the project there were no objections, with only one query on the plans/ drawings brought to SCD’s attention.
The Traffic Calming Measures were consulted on via THCs’ Public Consultation legal process, managed by Safer Routes to School
The Primary School and The Strathdearn Community Council in September 2021 both supported the proposed plans.
THC agreed to procure, and project manage the construction of the paths on a day-to-day basis.
The current status is THC are currently working through the defect process with the appointed contractor to identify and rectify the defects. This will include moving back the ‘giveaway’ lines at the traffic calming points, and relocating signage to ensure it is clearly displayed, and looking at the material/installation of the timber edging.
SCD have previously written to THC outlining concerns around some of the works, and are in agreement with the community on some of the timber edging. This is being reviewed along with the concerns from a petition which was also submitted.
THC will respond back to the petitioners and SCD once they have reviewed all the information. This is likely to take a couple of weeks’
The response from THC will be published. As soon as the defects are rectified, final costs of both sections of the paths with Grant Funding will also be made available to the community.
Going forward, there will be a further community consultation on whether the community wishes to see the following:
- concrete kerbs installed on section 8 (with the associated costs)
- street lighting on section 8 (with the associated cost and specification)
- assess further desires for traffic calming & speed reduction measures (with the associated costs)
Whilst it is unlikely there will be a consensus from the community on the above list, it is important that the community considers the safety aspects of the above choices in their decision making.”
