The long-established route connecting Wallyford and historic Fa’side Castle is being upgraded to help serve the growing local community.
Walkers currently use a steep, eroded and rutted track, which is an ancient right of way, to reach Elphinstone while passing the castle.
An upgraded 1.8m wide path will make the route safer and pleasant to use. The gradient of the existing track creates severe drainage problems which will be addressed by the planned improvements.
Funding for the project has been provided by developer contributions with work set to begin on Wednesday, 18 June.
The rough track runs from Fa’side Castle downhill to the farm at St Clements Well before reaching a tarmac path crossing the A1 footbridge to the new housing developments adjacent to Wallyford Bing. The improved path being delivered by East Lothian Council will replace the track on the same route.
Important addition
The work is expected to take around six weeks to complete. The track will need to be closed during much of that period for safety reasons and appropriate signage will be in place.
Councillor Colin McGinn, East Lothian Council’s Cabinet Spokesperson for Community Wellbeing and Sport, Countryside and Leisure, said: “The construction of a new path will make this beautiful area of the county’s countryside more accessible to enjoy.
“Enhanced active travel and off-road path networks are needed for the village, which has seen sizeable population growth in recent years due to house building. The recently opened Wallyford Bing Path has already been an important addition and a path to serve Wallyford Primary School path is also planned.”