Speyside Way upkeep dispute

Highland Council and the Cairngorms National Park Authority are at loggerheads over who should pay for the upkeep of a 30 mile section of the Speyside Way.

Most of the Speyside Way, which runs from Aviemore and Ballindalloch to Spey Bay, is in Moray. However part of the Aviemore branch, which opened in 2000, is located within Highland Council’s jurisdiction.

The National Park have offered to pay 70% of maintenance costs if Highland Council funds the remainder and takes over responsibility for the route. The Council is arguing that it is not legally obliged to manage it and does not have the staff to do so.

Highland Council currently has an agreement with Moray Council to contribute about £7,000 towards the maintenance of the 30-mile Ballindalloch to Aviemore stretch each year.

In the current financial year the National Park is expected to contribute £69,000 to the upkeep of the route, with some fencing needing to be replaced and stiles and other barriers removed to assist cyclists. The National Park is expected to argue that legal responsibility for the route lies with the relevant local authority. The issue is to be discussed at a Highland Council planning meeting later this week.