Wick Paths Group praised by community council for 'amazing efforts'
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Members of Wick Paths Group have been praised for their "amazing efforts” in improving the town's walking routes.
The Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council is to write a letter of thanks after hearing about the group's latest voluntary endeavours in an update from its secretary, John Bogle.
The access road to the town's North Baths, forming part of the John O'Groats Trail, was cleared of heavy stones that had been thrown up by winter storms. The work was carried out by paths group member Willie Watt using a machine provided free by Hugh Simpson Contractors – and when a flat tyre on the digger threatened to stop progress, Caithness Tyres came to the rescue without charge.
Last month the paths group won the Community Initiative category of the Highland Third Sector Awards in recognition of work carried out on the popular Coghill footbridges, which might otherwise have had to be closed to the public due to safety worries.
At Monday night's online meeting of the community council, chairperson Joanna Coghill hailed the “amazing efforts” of the paths group while also acknowledging the support from local businesses.
She said: “We’re really lucky in our community to have the likes of Willie Watt and John Bogle.”
The group has also been carrying out additional drainage work along the North Head footpath, close to the waste water treatment works.
In his written report, Mr Bogle explained that because of Covid-19 restrictions only work involving two people can be undertaken.
He pointed out that they would like to install a collapsible bollard in the middle of the track just past the entrance to the waste water treatment works to prevent unauthorised vehicles from accessing the path and damaging it. "There were reports of campervans using the area last summer and some rather unsanitary practices," he noted.
Mr Bogle added that three interpretive panels will be installed or transferred to sites alongside the North Head path when restrictions allow.
He warned that the North Baths access road "is in grave danger of being washed away by coastal erosion" and asked if the community council could lobby Highland councillors to help ensure the roadway is protected.
The paths group has also done advanced planning for two projects at the riverside.
