Annual report & accounts 2025-26

  1. Introduction
  2. Highlights
  3. Education & training
  4. Monitoring everyday cycling, road safety and connecting people
  5. Access to bikes, cycle parking & storage
  6. Transport Planning & Engineering
    1. About Transport Planning & Engineering
    2. Case study: Penpont to Thornhill, Nith Bridge
    3. Map of TP&E project locations
  7. Organisation

Transport, Planning & Engineering

Case study

Penpont to Thornhill: Connecting communities across the Nith Bridge

Backed by funding from Walk Wheel Cycle Trust , the Keir, Penpont and Tynron Development Trust set out an ambitious goal to create a walking, wheeling and cycling path to connect the villages of Penpont to Thornhill in Dumfriesshire. TP&E has been involved since 2020, with the project being progressed in phases dependent on annual funding awards.

In 2025-26 we completed phase 1B2, connecting existing sections and continuing the route over the A702 Nith Bridge. Previously this historic A-listed structure did not have any pedestrian or cycling facilities, With frequent passing farming and forestry vehicles presenting a danger for more vulnerable road users.

Due to the historic importance of the bridge, a solution was needed to ensure the route could be updated safely with minimal impact on the structure.

A new traffic signalling system was installed to provide a separate phase for pedestrians and people travelling on bikes, greatly improving the safety of the the bridge crossing.

In the next year, the route will be completed past this bridge and into Thornhill, providing a full route connecting these rural two villages.

The project has been supported by the UK Government Levelling Up Fund, SWestrans, Dumfries and Galloway Council and previously by many other funders.