New route to travel for islanders and visitors in the Outer Hebrides opens after seven year campaign

placeholder image — South Uist | Supplied

The project improves travel for visitors and islanders alike, particularly during peak tourist season

A new walkway made using recycled plastic has been installed along an island’s narrow and winding road to make travel easier and safer for locals and visitors.

The Slighe an Iochdair route in Iochdar in South Uist includes a fully accessible shared route for walkers, cyclists and motorists.

The pathway links the local primary school and nursery Sgoil an Iochdair with local homes, school, community facilities, local shop and post office and sections of the Hebridean Way, a route of around 200 miles up the Outer Hebridean islands that is popular with tourists.

Partners say the project represents a major investment not only in safer travel, but in the long-term sustainability and resilience of the island infrastructure. | Supplied

The aim of the development is to help residents and visitors move safely through the village for the first time. As is the case with many island communities, narrow and single track roads have long raised concerns for local residents, particularly for children walking to school, when there is an increase in traffic during busy tourist seasons.

Almost 3,000 hanit decking boards have been used along the route, supplied through Kacey Recycled Plastic and HAHN Plastics UK.

The companies said the material is manufactured from recycled plastic waste and was selected for its durability and longevity, both of which are particularly important for infrastructure exposed to severe coastal weather in an island community.

There have been longstanding concerns from the local community about the safety of the single track, narrow road through the village. | Supplied

They said the use of recycled material has also saved more than 20,000kg of carbon dioxide emissions compared with traditional construction materials which would be the equivalent to emissions from driving more than 100,000 miles in an average UK car.

The project has been led by Iochdar Community Council in partnership with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, HITRANS, Transport Scotland and other organisations, with support from residents across South Uist.

Anne Bird, secretary of Iochdar Community Council, said the scheme began with families wanting a safer place for children and older residents to walk.

“Over the years it has grown into something much bigger for the whole community through a lot of campaigning and fundraising,” she said.

“We wanted the pathway to be built to a high standard that would genuinely last, and the materials and design choices have been a very important part of that.”

Mathew Baxendale, head of sales and marketing at HAHN Plastics UK, said the project demonstrated how recycled materials could be used to create infrastructure designed to last.

“Remote and coastal infrastructure projects demand materials that are both sustainable and exceptionally durable,” he said.

Islanders said the pathway has already begun to change life at the local school.

Joan MacDonald, head teacher at Sgoil an Iochdair, said pupils were now keen to walk or cycle to school, while teachers felt inspired to use the route for outdoor learning and physical activities.

The nursery, Sgoil Araich, has also been using it for picnics, dancing and exploring the surrounding community and wildlife.

Funding has come from Transport Scotland, Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme, HITRANS and a range of community and regional partners. The official opening will take place on September 4, when residents, community representatives and project partners will gather to mark the completion of what organisers describe as one of South Uist’s most significant recent investments in active travel.