THE call to get out into the open space and pedal has never been greater with Dunfermline’s new cycle and walkways. 


With £2.24m having been spent on new and improved routes in and around the city, residents and visitors can explore with the help of new orientation boards and maps from council premises and outlets. 


Councillor Helen Law, chair of the City of Dunfermline area committee, said: “This has given such a boost to cycling and walking across Dunfermline. As Dunfermline continues to promote cycling and walking it is great to see a project which started as a committee paper actually come to fruition. 


“The bike-ability training in schools, the cycle training area delivered by Townhill Community Council and the new cycle circuit at Queen Anne High School have all contributed to the health and wellbeing agenda supported by the committee.”


A contribution of £100,000 from the committee was topped up the tune of £2.24m from Fife Council’s transportation service, Sustrans and other funders so there would be links from the Public Park to Pittencrieff Park, Bothwell Gardens to Rosyth railway station and Duloch to Rex Park.


Sustrans provided half of the main funding with the expectation that the council would deliver new and innovative solutions in Dunfermline that other areas of Scotland can learn from.


Dunfermline Central Councillor Neale Hanvey said: “Throughout this term the SNP have been a constructive partner in developing, supporting and delivering these shared local priorities for council investment through the Dunfermline area committee. 


“That is why in our manifesto we will set out how we will continue to improve access to green recreation and play space, especially in our vulnerable communities, to realise health, education and biodiversity benefits. It’s also why we support the ‘We Walk, We Cycle, We Vote’ principles.”


One of the main improvements saw the footpath on the eastern side of Queensferry Road widened, by narrowing the road verge, to three metres for both cyclists and walkers.


Other routes include a pleasant cycleway and footpath connecting Whitefield Road and the Duloch area to the city centre.


Daisy Narayanan, from Sustrans Scotland, said: “Sustrans Scotland is committed to ensuring that individuals and communities are better connected by safe and accessible walking and cycling facilities.


 “We are pleased that our Community Links funding for improvements in Dunfermline has provided those who live in and visit the area with excellent facilities to travel actively. We want to thank all the partners involved in completing the projects, particularly Fife Council.”