Penpont and Thornhill on the (traffic-free) Path to Success with new £420,000 Funding Award

SWestrans is delighted to announce that £420,000 has been secured from Transport Scotland to complete a further phase of a popular path linking the two Nithsdale villages of Penpont and Thornhill.

Construction of the path has been a multi-stage project, with the first phase linking Penpont to the Drumlanrig Castle access road completed in December 2023.

The concept of a path for use by people walking, wheeling or cycling originated with local community group Kier, Penpont and Tynron Development Trust (KPTDT), which approached SWestrans in 2018 seeking advice on accessing the funding required to deliver the project.

With support from SWestrans, the community received funding from Sustrans’ Places for Everyone fund, allowing them to deliver the first phase of the path project (Phase 1a).

When Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop announced changes to the national funding model for active travel in October 2023, meaning that £10 million of funding became available through the Tier 2 Active Travel Infrastructure Fund, SWestrans was able to secure £420,000 to fund the next part of the project.

This new £420,000 grant award will enable a further 450 metres of shared use tarmac path to be constructed as Phase 1b of the project, taking it to the bridge over the River Nith. Work is expected to take place between January and the end of March 2025.

Construction of approximately 500 metres beyond the bridge will complete the off-road link to Thornhill, providing more opportunities for local residents and visitors to choose to switch some car journeys to active travel. This has potential to lead to improved health and wellbeing as well as air quality for the community. Dumfries and Galloway Council and SWestrans are actively working on securing funding to complete the path.

SWestrans Chair John Campbell said: “It’s wonderful news that this fantastic path is closer to completion. KPTDT has shown what can be achieved when a community works together, and the success of the project is testament to their hard work and determination.

“This path creates a functional link between local centres, as identified in Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Active Travel Strategy 2, which prioritises increasing the numbers of people using human-powered transport as a vital part of the journey towards Net Zero for the region. It is also highlighted in the Regional Economic Partnership’s Cycling Partnership Strategy as an example of a success story, which demonstrates the economic benefit that this path will have for the area.”

KPTDT Chair Maureen Halkett said: “We are delighted that the next phase of the Penpont to Thornhill active travel path is underway and are very grateful to SWestrans, Transport Scotland, Places for Everyone (Sustrans), Buccleuch Estates Ltd and engineering contractor Transport Planning and Engineering for making this possible.

“The first three kilometres of the path are in constant use by dog walkers, joggers, wheelers and some cycle commuters going to Thornhill, as it replaces much of the on-road route, even before the full path is completed. Our Stroll in the Park initiative to encourage enhanced mobility and socialising has also been a big hit.

“A wheelchair user from the community has reported that this is the first time she has been able to do a circuitous route to and from home for pleasure, and a single parent has given the path a heartfelt endorsement by committing to cycling for work, shopping and leisure journeys where possible; so far this year she has not needed to use the bus at all.”

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop said:

“I am very pleased that funding from the Scottish Government Active Travel Infrastructure Fund has been awarded to SWestrans to complete this important active travel route between Penpont and Thornhill.

“The Active Travel Infrastructure Fund is helping projects throughout Scotland to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier than before.

“Projects such as this one are helping people leave their cars at home and to choose healthier and greener transport options. Over £155m has already been invested this year and through the Draft Budget for 2025-26, we intend to invest over £188m in further active and sustainable travel projects to take forward more transformative walking, wheeling and cycling projects.”