Keir, Penpont and Tynron Development Trust (KPTDT) is delighted to confirm that the active travel path linking the two Nithsdale villages of Penpont and Thornhill is set for completion.
Funding to complete the final off-road link to Thornhill has been confirmed by Dumfries and Galloway Council, with £75,000 from the council’s Transport asset class budget and a further £878,000 allocated from the UK government’s Levelling Up Fund, which supports projects in the region aiming to make greener transport accessible to residents and visitors.
Once the path is completed in spring 2026, it will provide more opportunities for local residents and visitors to walk, wheel or cycle instead of driving some journeys, leading to improved health and wellbeing as well as air quality for the community.
The path has been created and constructed by Keir, Penpont and Tynron Development Trust (KPTDT) as a multi-stage project involving a variety of funding sources.
With support from regional transport partnership SWestrans, the community group received funding from Sustrans’ Places for Everyone fund to deliver the first phase of the project linking Penpont to the Drumlanrig access road. SWestrans provided further funding through Transport Scotland’s Tier 2 Active Travel Infrastructure Fund to complete a further section, between Drumlanrig Road and Nith Bridge which was completed in April 2025.
KPTDT Chair Maureen Halkett said: “We are so pleased that the end of the construction of the Penpont to Thornhill active travel path is in sight.
“The first stages 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, making the journey much safer and enjoyable.
“I’d like to thank Dumfries and Galloway Council, SWestrans, Transport Scotland, the UK Government, Places for Everyone (Sustrans), Annandale, Nithsdale Community
Benefit Company Ltd, Buccleuch Estates Ltd, Marchbank Bros and Transport Planning and Engineering for making this possible.
Keir, Penpont and Tynron Development Trust (KPTDT) was formed in 2018 with the aim of taking forward key projects identified by an earlier study conducted in the three communities. KPTDT is run by a board of volunteer directors, a Development Officer and a Finance and Admin Officer who work with local people and other stakeholders to develop and improve the area through several focused projects. For more information on KPTDT: [email protected] or 01848 331435. www.kptdevelopmenttrust.org
SWestrans is one of seven Regional Transport Partnerships in Scotland. It covers an area within the boundaries of Dumfries and Galloway Council.
