PUPILS from Penpoint Primary School are celebrating a new traffic-free path to enable safe travel to Drumlanrig.
Delivered by Transport, Planning and Engineering (TPE), the new active travel link in the Nithsdale area is due to finish construction today.
But the pupils have already taken part in a path safety session with TPE to learn more about the path and how to properly use it.
The path’s completion is only phase 1A of the multi-stage project. Once phases 1B and 1C are complete, it will be 4 km long and stretch from Penpoint to Thornhill, allowing residents to safely walk, wheel or cycle between the two villages.
Alongside opening up learning opportunities for residents and providing easier access to retail and leisure facilities, it will also provide a number of environmental benefits such as hedge-planting and under-sowing of wildflowers along the new path.
With over £1.5 million of funding from the Scottish Government, the project is being led by the Keir, Penpoint and Tynron Development Trust (KPTDT).
Maureen Halkett, trust chairman, said: “We have had incredible support from all the funders and local landowners, who have helped our small rural development trust realise its dream of ensuring residents can safety embrace active travel.
“The new path will bring health, wellbeing environmental and economic benefits for local people and visitors.
“We are also indebted to our patient mentors from both Sustrans Scotland, our social enterprise transport consultants, Transport, Planning and Engineering Ltd, and JH Civil Engineering for guiding us through the construction process.”
An official community event to mark the completion of phase 1A is planned for March 2024.
