For eight months, a stretch of the popular Deeside Way riverside path has been sealed off at Peterculter as “dangerous” trees are removed.
The section of the former railway line was first ruled off limits last May, just days before hundreds were due to traverse it for a fundraising walk.
Council bosses said this was due to hazardous trees along the banks in the Aberdeen suburb, with the work brought forward after one was toppled in high winds.
They said safety “was the priority”.
At the time, it was thought that the 0.7-mile stretch from Pittengullies Brae to Culter Station would be closed for six months, along with Lovers Walk down by the water.
But the project has gone on longer than first thought, with scores of trees needing to be chopped down.
Images reveal loss of Peterculter trees
Our drone photographs show the scale of the operation:
When will closed section reopen?
The trees, which are on part of the National Cycle Network, will be replaced by a native shrub species to hold the bank together.
Aberdeen City Council officials confirmed Lovers Walk is now open, while the Deeside Line should be accessible from next week.
A spokeswoman added: “The work unfortunately ran over due to winter weather and illness, however we are pleased with how this has progressed given it was a challenging and large-scale tree work.”
Read more:
‘Intrusive and overbearing’ Cults home plans approved after months-long battle with neighbours
Conversation