ACCESS TO DALBEATTIE WOODS TO BE IMPROVED

Work to improve access to Dalbeattie Forest
Forestry Commission Scotland is to carry out work next month to improve access to the entrance of Dalbeattie Town Wood’s popular walking trails.
The work, which involves landscaping and redesigning the start of the forest trails, is to be carried out from February 2nd – 22nd.
Whilst the improvements are being made the main car park to Dalbeattie Town Wood will be temporarily closed. Visitors will still be able to access the forest via William Street and Spycraig Entrances and cars can use the 7stanes car park.
Lesley Smith, Communities Officer with Forestry Commission Scotland said:
“Dalbeattie Forest is very popular and the main car park is heavily used by locals and other visitors. Our work will make the entrance to Dalbeattie Wood more welcoming by separating out the traffic arriving and departing from the same entrance.
“Whilst the work is being carried out the safest option is to temporarily close the main car park. We do understand this may cause some inconvenience and we’d like to thank everyone in advance for their patience and co-operation.”
The works are part of a larger partnership project called ‘Healthy Dalbeattie’ which is being led by NHS Dumfries & Galloway and aims to get people more active. This project has secured funding via the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund.
The Town Wood Car Park is one of four elements to this project which uses the core path link through the forest between Dalbeattie, Barnbarroch and Colvend. This route, which uses the National Forest Estate, provides a safe access from the town down to the coast without having to use public roads. Signage across this new safe route will be provided by Dumfries and Galloway Council.
Another stage of the project, managed by Dumfries and Galloway Council, is the development of a new multi-purpose walking and cycling path to link access into the forest at Barnbarroch from Kippford Road End.