Improvement Works Underway To Make Active Travel Safer In Dumfries

Construction of the Park Road and New Abbey Road improvement works is now underway. This project will improve traffic flows at these two junctions whilst making it easier for people to cross these busy roads by using dedicated controlled crossing points, as well as a new walking, wheeling, and cycling path connecting Park Road with Pleasance Avenue.

The delivery of match funded projects like this will allow the Council to make the case for further funding opportunities to provide similar road and active travel improvements in other areas of Dumfries and Galloway. Half of the funding for the £1 million project has been provided by Transport Scotland through Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme, with additional funding support supplied by NHS Dumfries & Galloway and SWestrans.

Sara Grenni, Grant Advisor for Sustrans said the following as works started:

“The improvement works on Park Road and New Abbey Road will be transformative for people living, working and visiting Dumfries. Not only will these changes make active travel safer and easier going forward, this is also the first example of segregated active travel infrastructure that has been implemented in Dumfries. We’re excited to see the construction process now underway and thankful for the hard work and dedication of our project partners and all those who have contributed to the designs.”

The project will deliver across all five our Council priorities making local shops, schools and services more accessible for all to walk, wheel, or cycle as well as providing a much-improved link between the Hospital, Town Centre, Crichton campus and beyond. Local contractor David Hardie Engineering has been appointed as lead contractor for the works.

Communities Committee Chairman, Councillor Archie Dryburgh said:

“The investment in our infrastructure has been subject of many reports to council committees over the past few years and I’m delighted that the works are now starting. Creating safer, greener ways for our residents and visitors to travel is a key commitment for our Council and this work is a great example of this commitment in action.”

Vice Chairman, Councillor John Campbell continued:

“I would like to express my thanks to Sustrans for their unwavering support with this, and other projects, that our Council are undertaking. Without match-funding, many of the projects we do simply could not take place, and it is important to recognise this. I look forward to seeing the works progress.”