Dumfries and Galloway Council welcomes confirmation from the Department for Transport that the region will receive the £13.8m awarded through the Levelling Up Fund Transport Bid.
This funding, which was announced in 2023, will be provided to the council in the 2025/26 financial year, to support three transport projects which aim to make greener transport accessible to residents and visitors as part of the ongoing development of an integrated sustainable transport network for the region.
The three projects will consist of:
• Multi-modal transport hubs – to reduce emissions and provide an alternative to private vehicles, new hubs will provide a mix of active and sustainable transport options at convenient locations across the region. As well as linking in with bus and rail transport services, e-bikes and electric car club vehicles will be available to hire and public charging points will be provided.
• Bus improvements – to improve passenger experience and make journey planning easier and more accessible, new electric buses and charging points, upgrades to bus stops and a real time information service will be introduced. These will be focused on the routes serving the new transport hubs.
• Cycle route improvements – to support local businesses to attract more of the growing cycle tourism market to the region, a programme of upgrades to the long-distance Kirkpatrick Coast to Coast cycle route, as well as local improvements to cycling infrastructure, will be completed.
Leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council, Councillor Gail Macgregor said:
“I’m delighted to learn that we will soon be able to start work on a range of exciting transport projects across the region. The Transport Levelling Up Fund will build on the success of funding received from earlier rounds of the Levelling Up Fund in 2023, which enabled the council to deliver several projects including Dalbeattie Rocks and Wheels at a former primary school; the Stranraer watersports hub; redevelopment of the former George Hotel and improvements at Annan Harbour.“As well as providing a significant economic boost to the region, this funding will make a real difference to residents, helping to join up journeys and offering more opportunities for people to walk, wheel or cycle as part of those journeys, especially in rural areas.
“Encouraging residents and visitors alike to use sustainable forms of transport, especially sustainable public transport and active travel, will have several benefits, including better personal health and wellbeing, reduced air pollution and congestion and an improved local economy. It will also contribute to our aim of becoming a net zero carbon emission region.”
The Department for Transport describes the Levelling Up Fund as: ”[it] aims to realise the potential of every place, and give left behind communities the same level of opportunity as other areas. There’s no one size fits all, Levelling Up funding schemes cover infrastructure that improves everyday life for local residents; saving beloved community assets and supporting local communities to build pride in where they live.”
More information on the Levelling Up Fund: New levelling up and community investments – GOV.UK
More information on projects in Stranraer and Dalbeattie funded through the second round of the Levelling Up Fund: Over £17 million boost for leisure and tourism in Galloway (Levelling Up Fund 2) – Case study – GOV.UK
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