Would you like to cycle more, but are uncomfortable cycling on the road? Sustrans, the walking, cycling and wheeling charity, is looking to improve the national network of cycle routes. The road from Kingholm Quay to Glencaple is part of National Cycle Network 7 (NCN 7).  NCNs are supposed to be suitable for sensible 12-year-olds to cycle on independently – but the road from Kingholm Quay to Glencaple is not suitable for the kind of cycling the NCN is supposed to enable. It is too busy, and with too many bends, as well as too narrow for comfortable cycling when sharing the road with cars, tractors, buses etc.

As Sustrans are looking to improve their network, and Dumfries and Galloway council are wanting to encourage active travel (including walking and cycling), we have an opportunity to ask for a proper cycle path to be created which keeps cyclists, walkers, wheelchair users, etc separate and safe from the traffic. Creating this could be a boost to local businesses too, with the Nith Hotel, the Boathouse, Caerlaverock Castle and the nature reserves all great destinations for a leisure bike ride, especially in the summer.

If this is something you would like to see for the area, please take 2 minutes to complete this very short survey. If you’re not sure and would like to know more, feel free to email Fiona Hinchcliffe, who lives in Glencaple (hinchcliffe.fiona@gmail.com), or Cycling Dumfries (cyclingdumfries@gmail.com) for more information.

Thank you!