Dumfries, Connecting 2 railway paths via the Nith Viaduct
The very first Sustrans' Connect2 scheme opened in Scotland in July 2008 to a skirl of bagpipes and the sound of marching feet. The people of Dumfries are now able to bypass the bypass by path, as a picture-perfect, disused railway viaduct spanning the River Nith has been transformed into a new walking and cycling route.
This scheme has regenerated the former Maxwelltown Railway Line in Dumfries and forms a walking and cycling link from the east to the west of the north of the town. Connections have been created towards the Nunholm Sports area including cricket, tennis, squash and gym facilities and the Burns Walk along the banks of the River Nith. To provide a length of traffic-free walking and cycling route as an alternative to on road route and create a sustainable transport link towards Dumfries Railway Station.
Currently, the Dumfries steering group is involved in choosing the characters for the Portrait Bench. Local schools are involved in the character nominations. Watch this space for the final announcement on who the people of Dumfries decide to nominate as their local Portrait Bench characters.
"The viaduct was the missing link. I feel so lucky having this on my doorstep; it has opened up the whole town to me. I used to have to get in my car to go to the supermarket, now I just head out with my dog. I didn't realise how much we were restricted by traffic in our daily lives until we had the path; it's so much safer and much more relaxing. This network is fantastic, it takes you everywhere you need to be; there are so many options from the fields out by Maxwell town station right into the centre, and so many places in-between!" Vivienne Mullett, Dumfries resident.
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