Cycleway opens for Dumfries community

Friday 12 October 2001

Dumfries and Galloway cyclists are celebrating today the opening of the cycle path between Tinwald Downs Road and Dumfries Railway Station, which is the second phase and last major link in the Caledonian Cycle Way from Locharbriggs to Dumfries.

"Cycling and walking are pursuits that the whole family can enjoy."

With the support of a sportscotland Lottery Fund award of £321,140, the £1.1 million project forms a major part of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Cycling/Access Initiative, a network of urban cycleways, which has links to the National Cycle Network.

This project utilises the track bed of the former Dumfries to Lockerbie railway line which was closed in the 1960s and provides an ideal medium to develop and extend recreational opportunities by providing access to the countryside through the provision of cycling and walking facilities.

Local Member and Leader of the Council, John Forteath will officially open the network with help from pupils from Locharbriggs Primary School. They will unveil a plaque and cut a ribbon across the bridge. Commenting on the project, he said: “The quality of the path is a credit to everyone involved. I am encouraged by the high number of cyclists and pedestrians already using the Caledonian Way and I consider it a major asset for the communities of Locharbriggs and Heathhall.”

Alastair Dempster, Chairman of sportscotland, said: “We welcome the completion of this Caledonian cycleway because it enhances cycling in two ways; through encouraging people to get on their bikes in beautiful countryside and get fit as well as the environmental advantages of using a bike to get to work or school.

“Cycling and walking are pursuits that the whole family can enjoy. It is vital in our aim to promote a healthier Scotland that we influence attitudes to regular exercise among children and their families by encouraging perceptions of exercise as enjoyable and fun.”