Pupils from Troqueer Primary School joined a led ride over the new and upgraded active travel links in Dumfries, backed by Sustrans Scotland’s Places for Everyone programme.
The new shared-use path has improved connectivity to the southwest of the town, and offered local people an alternative way of accessing Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. Credit: Dumfries and Galloway Council, 2023.
On the 27 and 29 of November, representatives from the Dumfries community, including pupils from Troqueer Primary School, came together to celebrate the delivery of new and upgraded walking, wheeling, and cycling links.
The addition of a high-quality, shared-use path has improved connectivity to the southwest of the town, and offered local people an alternative way of accessing Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.
Improvements to the junctions at Pleasance Avenue, New Abbey Road, and Park Road have also made it easier and safer to travel actively.
Construction on the project started in November 2022 and was completed in June 2023.
Inspiration behind the project
During the planning process for the new Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, Dumfries and Galloway Council and NHS Dumfries and Galloway agreed to make a number of improvements to the roads that connect into the new hospital.
This included creating spaces for walking, wheeling, and cycling to promote active travel in the area.
Opened in June of this year, the new path network provides a space which everyone can use safely, regardless of age or ability. Credit: Dumfries and Galloway Council, 2023.
Making active travel accessible
The new and upgraded infrastructure has created a space that everyone in Dumfries, regardless of age or ability, is able to enjoy.
The project has improved the junctions at New Abbey Road, Pleasance Avenue and Park Road, as well as adding new toucan and parallel crossings.
An ‘early release’ signal on Pleasance Avenue prioritises people cycling on the road, and a 5m wide shared-use path has also been created.
This is not only making it easier and safer than ever to walk, wheel, and cycle into the town centre, but has improved connections to key destinations such as schools, shops, and recreational facilities.
In addition, a new public space between New Abbey Road and Park Road offers somewhere people can stop, spend time, and socialise.
Celebrating outside the classroom
Since construction completed in June this year, the new walking, wheeling, and cycling connection has become a well-used route for local people.
To help celebrate the impact of the works, I Bike-led rides were held on the 29 November and passed through New Abbey Road before stopping at the public space created by the project.
In attendance on the day were Primary 5 pupils from Troqueer Primary School who, as well as using the new infrastructure, learnt about the importance of road safety measures and shared stories about how they have been using the route since it completed.
And it is not just young people in Dumfries that have felt the benefits.
The I Bike Communities team cycled through on the day with a group of residents, including volunteers, who were interested in finding out more about the partnership working behind the project.
The Council’s Active Communities team also organise weekly walks along the new link, and the Dumfries Power Walks group often use the route during their Monday morning 5k's.
I Bike Schools and Communities are now using the path as part of their work to promote walking, wheeling and cycling to pupils, parents and the wider community. Credit: Dumfries and Galloway Council, 2023.
Looking ahead
Considering the impact of the project, Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Communities Committee, Councillor Ian Blake said:
“The completed works have significantly improved the transport links in this part of Dumfries and with partners involvement we have demonstrated that a collaborative approach achieves numerous benefits to road users and the local community.
Supporting Power Walks and the I Bike Programmes are ways to show people and communities there are other ways to get around and have more people actively travelling. This is a vital step forward in supporting the delivery of the ATS2 and shows the Council’s commitment to investing in sustainable and active travel.”
Vice Chair of Communities committee, Councillor Jackie McCamon continued:
“This project delivers many firsts for Dumfries and Galloway including a new segregated shared use path that meets current national standards, and parallel cycling and walking crossing.
Encouraging active travel from early ages and engaging with communities in physical activity, just as Sustrans I Bike and Power Walks are doing, will help to promote and drive change to make essential daily journeys accessible – empowering people to live healthier lifestyles, addressing the climate emergency and tackling inequalities.
Dumfries and Galloway Council is sending a clear message that it values the well-being of its residents and prioritises their safety and convenience.”
"Dumfries and Galloway Council is sending a clear message that it values the well-being of its residents and prioritises their safety and convenience.” Credit: Sustrans/Dumfries and Galloway Council, 2023
Chiquita Elvin, Head of Programme for Places for Everyone at Sustrans, added:
“We’re very pleased to see work finish on the improvements to New Abbey Road, Pleasance Avenue and Park Road, and to celebrate this with the local community.
The new route has created a high-quality shared-use path for walking, wheeling and cycling, and improved connectivity between the hospital and town centre.
This is an important achievement for Dumfries, and we hope that coupled with behaviour change initiatives like Sustrans Scotland’s I Bike programme, will enable many more people in the area to leave the car at home for their short, everyday journeys”.
Working in partnership
The Dumfries and Galloway Council-led project was made possible by £887,091 of funding from the Scottish Government through Sustrans Scotland’s Places for Everyone programme.
Match funding was provided by the Council, SWestrans and NHS Dumfries and Galloway.
