Introduction

Transport Scotland and its design consultants Atkins Mouchel Joint Venture (AMJV) are progressing the Non-Motorised User (NMU) Route between the communities of Aviemore and Carrbridge. The Aviemore to Carrbridge Non-Motorised User (NMU) Route Study comprised a Baseline Assessment undertaken and completed in 2019 and a Route Options Appraisal in 2020, leading to the preferred route chosen in November 2021.

Transport Scotland hosted two Public Engagement events in 2022. In 2024 a further opportunity to comment on the Aviemore to Carrbridge Non-Motorised User route design, arose following submission of a Planning of Application Notice (PAN) for the Aviemore to Carrbridge Non-Motorised User route in May 2024. There was a requirement to hold further public and virtual exhibitions as part of the pre-application consultation process to comply with planning procedure. The exhibition plans shown in 2024 were previously on public display in 2022.

This ‘hybrid’ approach, with both public and virtual exhibitions, was chosen to reach a large audience and ensure accessibility for all those who wished to be updated on the project. The purpose of these Public Engagement events was to provide an overview of the preferred route chosen and to seek feedback from the public and stakeholders ahead of a planning application.

Public exhibitions for the Aviemore to Carrbridge Non-Motorised User route took place in:

  • Aviemore Community Centre (Muirton, Aviemore, PH22 1SF) on Wednesday 5th June 2024 from 3pm to 8pm.
  • Carrbridge Village Hall (Main Road, Carrbridge, PH23 3BB) on Thursday 20th June 2024 from 2pm to 6pm.

A virtual exhibition also went live at 12pm on Wednesday 5 June 2024 and ran until 12pm on Wednesday 11 July 2024.

The exhibition materials were prepared in consultation with key stakeholders including Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA), The Highland Council (THC), Highlands and Islands Transport Partnerships (HITRANS), and Sustrans.

Alongside the Virtual and Public Engagement events, the exhibition materials shown are available on the Transport Scotland website. In addition, the materials were also available to be posted out in hard copy upon request.

During the exhibition period, the Virtual Exhibition Room had 86 unique page visits within the consultation period. The Public Exhibition was attended by 14 people in Aviemore, and 34 people in Carrbridge.

This report summarises the scope of the events and the feedback received.