Local engagement ‘vital’ for Weyland coastal path

August 25, 2022 at 4:52 pm

People in Orkney have been urged to offer their views to help shape a new coastal path at Weyland Bay, Kirkwall.

The project is still very much at the early stages — which is why it is “vital” that the community engage in order to “deliver a path network that works for all users,” said Kirkwall East councillor Gwenda Shearer.

From today, August 25, people are able to see more information and to share their thoughts at The Weyland Bay Paths Project (arcgis.com)

The Weyland Bay Coastal Path project is one of the projects in the Your Kirkwall Your Place Plan and will form one section of the longer-term route that aims to stretch from Hatston to Carness.

It could also allow additional linked paths and the creation of a safe route to school.

Online engagement will run until Thursday, September 1, and will inform the design process.

An in-person event is due to go ahead opposite the new housing at Weyland this Friday, August 26, from 3pm – 6 where folk will have the chance to discuss the project on site with the design team.

Then later in the year, there will be a chance to view the prepared design, including the thoughts, ideas and feedback provided during the engagement stage.

The project team is made up of the Orkney Islands Council (OIC), Sustrans, HITRANS and Landscape architects, HarrisonStevens, who will produce the first stage of design.

Chairwoman of the OIC’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Gwenda Shearer, said: “Community engagement at this early stage is vital to ensure that we get this project right and deliver a path network that works for all users.

“I have spoken with constituents who shared their ambitions for the wider area, which I was able to relay at a meeting of Kirkwall East ward members and those leading on the project.

“The design team need to hear your feedback though to ensure they will be creating an area that works as well as it possibly can for all users, and I would encourage folk to get involved with the public engagement to help shape this project.”