Jon Barron

Grampian Cycle Partnership along with the North East Adventure Tourism (NEAT) project are collaborating on an exciting project aspiring to signpost some of the most iconic road climbs in Aberdeenshire.  We are really interested to find out which local climbs you think deserve to be called “iconic” and considered for signage.

The NEAT partners comprise Aberdeenshire Council, Visit Aberdeenshire, Opportunity North East, Scottish Enterprise and Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland.

The remit for this project is mainly Shire based but it may have at least one city hill climb thrown in for good measure. Ideally, we would like to provide as much spread over the area, as possible.

Where have you suffered or glided up the hills, where have you got to the top and thought “this is heaven”?

They don’t have to be the longest or steepest but let’s hear what makes it “iconic” for you.

It could be the view, it could be the switchbacks, it could be the wildlife you have seen.

Where is that secret road climb that you love or hate to get over?

We’ve listed a few suggestions below;

Climb Name	Appx. ascent	Appx. length	Link to map
Cairn O’ Mount (South)	299m	3.1km	https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1256339
Cairn O’ Mount (North)	519m	13.7km	https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1256344
Gardenstown	153m	2.5km	https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1256445?units=km
Suie (North)	179m	2.6km	https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1256400?units=km
Suie (South)	244m	6km	https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1256395?units=km
Cabrach	438m	22km	https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1256373?units=km
Lecht	287m	4.7Km	https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1256346?units=km
Lords Throat	203m	9km	https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1256382?units=km
Gairnshiel (South)	250m	6.9km	https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1256363?units=km#
Gairnshiel (North)	179m	2.7km	https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1256400?units=km
Pennan to Aberdour	215m	6km	https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1256440?units=km
Knaven Hill	183m	7.7km	https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1256450?units=km
Queens View	157m	6km	https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1256375?units=km
Glenshee	345m	14.5km	https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1256345?units=km

To let us know your ranking of these climbs and offer your suggestions for other possibles, please click on this link; https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/EE3AY3/

It only takes a few minutes to complete. We will publish the results here and across our social media channels soon. Thank you very much!

You will hopefully be aware of Spaces for People (SfP); a new, temporary infrastructure programme in Scotland offering funding and support to make it safer for people who choose to walk, cycle or wheel for essential trips and exercise during Covid-19.  SfP is funded by the Scottish Government and managed by Sustrans Scotland.

SfP aims to enable statutory bodies to implement measures focused on protecting public health, supporting physical distancing and preventing a second wave of the outbreak.

Aberdeen City Council

Link to Media Release – https://news.aberdeencity.gov.uk/new-physical-distancing-measures-to-make-city-centre-safe/ (29^th May)

Link to Online Consultation – https://consultation.aberdeencity.gov.uk/planning/physical-distancing/ (opened 29^th May, ends 30^th September)   *GCP COMMITTEE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO TAKE PART IN THIS CONSULTATION, TO MAKE SURE YOUR VOICE IS HEARD AND YOUR VIEWS RECORDED*

GCP have been invited by ACC to be part of a group to bring together Transport Users and Operators to try and ensure they get as many views as they can on all the proposed measures.

Others invited to this group, in addition to officers from across several teams within the council, are representatives from CTC Grampian, Aberdeen Cycle Forum, First Aberdeen, Stagecoach, MACS ((Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland), North East Sensory Services and Shopmobility Aberdeen.  This group will meet at least fortnightly for the foreseeable future. 

In addition, the council have stated they will share information on proposals as the SfP measures begin to take shape across Aberdeen.  GCP Committee have already been provided sight of plans for the second phase of the city centre works.  Our response, which has been provided to the city council, is provided below;

https://www.grampiancyclepartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/08.06.2020_SfP-Phase-2-City-Centre-Grampian-Cycle-Partnership.pdf

Aberdeenshire Council

Link to Media Releases – https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/apps/news/release.aspx?newsID=5819 (12th June)

https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/apps/news/release.aspx?newsid=5814 (10^th June) and

https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/Apps/News/release.aspx?newsID=5796 (29^th May)

GCP will continue to be involved as these plans develop across, initially at least, a few of the town centres across Aberdeenshire.

Note: there may be other applications for SfP funding to follow across the North East, indeed both City and Shire Councils can reapply for additional support should they consider it necessary. Watch this space…

Lastly, the Spaces for People measures cannot be everything to all people, some might be in place for weeks, whereas others might be in place for many months. We will all learn as this process, which is progressing at a tremendous pace, however we must not lose sight of the fact of why these measures are needed; so we can ALL move about more safely and with increased confidence as we hopefully soon return to some semblance of normality with the phased reopening, with obvious conditions and restrictions, of more shops, businesses and workplaces.

For us, it is about much, much more than the bike, car, van, bus or lorry… as the name suggests, it is about people.

In the midst of these tough times, could there be an opportunity to help, even in a small way, bring about some lasting change?

We think so, that’s why we are sending this letter to every Councillor in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray.  

Please let’s hope they can help collectively deliver some long overdue benefits for us all, while following current Govt. guidance, to walk and cycle safely.

https://www.grampiancyclepartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/28-April-2020-Letter-to-Councillors-on-North-East-Local-Authorities.pdf

Grampian Cycle Partnership (GCP) held its inaugural AGM on 27th January 2020, marking the conclusion of a successful first year.  GCP was set up to work in partnership with individuals and existing stakeholders with the objective of making the North East of Scotland a better place to live through helping make cycling safer and easier for all.  GCP believes that the successful promotion and adoption of cycling as a viable means of transportation has the potential not only to reduce the number of premature deaths in Scotland caused by physical inactivity but to improve the physical and mental health outcomes for all.  GCP is committed to working proactively in partnership with local authorities, national organisations and individuals to help achieve these ambitions and to realise the many benefits accessible and inclusive cycling in North East Scotland would bring.

Re-elected Chair Tom Collier said: “Reflecting on our first year, we have a lot to celebrate, from becoming a constituted group and setting up our website and social media channels to taking on projects that have included collaborating on a cycle route for our partners around the increasingly popular  North East 250 route.  We are eager to see what 2020 brings for GCP and partners and look forward to growing our partner base and continuing to move towards achieving our objectives and making the North East a better and safer place for all.”

Grampian Cycle Partnership’s re-elected management committee are all local residents and a cross section of business leaders, community champions and cyclists of all disciplines seeking to represent anyone interested in cycling in helping make the area a better place to live.

Vice Chair Caroline Hood added: “We have seen significant interest in our organisation and our core objectives.  We are incredibly proud that so many individuals and organisations have signed up as partners and we look forward to welcoming many more over the coming year.”

Tom Collier went on to say: “We have an exciting year for cycling in the North East ahead, with key local infrastructure improvements, the Tour of Britain and from our own perspective, a GCP North East 250 bikepacking event.  We would be delighted to see many more individuals and organisations sign up as partners and demonstrate their support for improving the health and wellbeing of the North East. ”

Grampian Cycle Partnership is a formally constituted organisation established on 28 January 2019.

More information on the North East 250 Bikepacking Adventure can be found via: https://www.grampiancyclepartnership.org/uncategorized/gcp-north-east-250-bikepacking-adventure-2020/

You can follow GCP on various platforms:

Twitter: @GCP_JustGoRide

Facebook: GrampianCyclePartnership

Instagram:@grampian_cycle_partnership

LinkedIn: Grampian Cycle Partnership

STRAVA: Explore/Clubs/Grampian Cycle Partnership

Public given opportunity to comment at the start of additional active travel planning for A944 corridor

Nestrans, working with Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council and Sustrans have commissioned a study to explore options for upgrading the active travel route on the A944 between Westhill and Kingswells. The study is being progressed in line with national, regional and local policy objectives to increase levels of active travel and reduce private car journeys.

People can take part in the Placecheck at https://placecheck.info/maps/aberdeen.

Gathering views from the public is an essential element of the study and we are keen for you to provide comments via this Placecheck tool. The tool gives you the opportunity to detail what you like about the route, what you don’t like and what you would like to see improved to enhance active travel opportunities between Westhill and Kingswells.

Comments offered on the Placecheck tool may be used in the final reporting for this project. While all comments and contributors are publicly visible on the Placecheck tool, names of contributors will not be used in final reports. This tool will be available until Friday 14 February 2020.

Media Release from Aberdeen City Council: https://news.aberdeencity.gov.uk/public-given-opportunity-to-comment-at-the-start-of-additional-active-travel-planning-for-a944-corridor/