Kirriemuir Community Councillor John Ritchie has been championing the bid for work to be carried out to a stepped route that leads from Wellbank to Elm Road.

The route is one of around 50 in the Kirriemuir area alone that is not on the Angus Council list of adopted roads, but there is some hope that funding may be available through the local authority's Cycling, Walker & Safer Streets Fund.

At last Wednesday evening's meeting of Kirriemuir Community Council - hastily arranged in an upstairs room at the Airlie Arms Hotel after members found themselves locked out of the usual Fairlie House meeting place, and without a key - Mr Ritchie renewed his plea for something to be done to upgrade the pathway before someone has an unfortunate accident.

He brought fellow members up to speed with the Cycling, Walker & Safer Streets Fund established in 2001, with £191,000 of ring-fenced funding available each year for projects throughout Angus.

He explained that 2007-2008 was to have been the last year of operation of the fund, until the Scottish Government confirmed its availability for a further three years.

Mr Ritchie explained that, in the current financial year, £7,000 was being spent on the reconstruction of the existing footpath between Bellies Brae car park and the foot of the zig-zag path leading to Webster's High School, while a further £16,000 is to be spent on the reconstruction of the footpath from Slade Road to the bus stop.

He asked if funding in future years could be earmarked to upgrade the stepped footpath from Wellbank to Elm Road, stating that it was well used, particularly by children walking to and from the high school.

Despite the fact the pathway was listed as unadopted, he said work had been carried out as far back as 1976 to form the steps and fit a hand-rail to the wall.

"Now the infill between the steps is being washed away and, if nothing is done to repair the pathway someone is going to get hurt."

Councillor Iain Mackintosh confirmed the existence of the Cycling, Walker & Safer Streets Fund, and explained that there were projects programmed in for this year.

However, he agreed to contact the appropriate department to see if the 2008-2009 allocation was all taken up and, if not, ask if there was any money available to repair this particular route.

"If not, we can see if we can programme the work in for future years," he added.