Residents and regular users of the Maxwelltown Path will be joining cyclists this Sunday (Feb 2nd 2020) for another voluntary path maintenance session. Having already worked on parts nearer the town, the volunteers will be turning their attention to the Cargenbridge end of the path, which forms part of the UK-wide National Cycle Network. They hope that other residents will join them at 11am for a couple of hours cutting back encroaching nettles and brambles before the bird nesting season gets underway.
Local resident Richard Toulson has joined forces with local campaign group Cycling Dumfries to organise regular work parties on the path on the first Sunday of each month. So far, volunteers have braved bitterly cold weather and drizzle during the last two work parties, and have restored the full width of the path from Terregles Road to Ash Road. Cycling Dumfries members have also gone out to clear leaves from the Station Path earlier this month, after requests to the council to do the work went unheard.
Mr Toulson said, “The Maxwelltown path is an asset for the town and something we can all enjoy as long as there’s room for everyone. The width is fine in winter but come the summer, vegetation grows out through the fence and makes it harder for people to get out of each others’ way. We’ve got support from local councillors and council officers who can arrange training and loans of tools if people want to make this a regular volunteering effort.”
Sally Hinchcliffe, Convenor of Cycling Dumfries, said “We’re happy to do our bit to keep this path usable by everyone. With climate concerns coming to the fore, anything that makes it easier for people to walk and cycle instead of driving for short journeys is really important. The hospital is a major destination and the cycle path is a key route for staff, visitors and even patients so as it gets busier we need to make sure that there’s room for everyone.’
Dumfries and Galloway council are supporting this initiative. The next work party will be convening at 11 am on Sunday 2nd February at the Cargenbridge end of the path. Volunteers are urged to bring gardening tools, especially loppers and pruning saws, and stout gloves if possible.
