The Details

We usually concentrate on cycling issues in and around Dumfries, however there’s one missing link that affects the whole region: getting to and from the ferry terminals at Cairnryan for the Northern Ireland crossings. This is on the face of it a simple missing link – just under 2 miles of missing shared-use path along the A77. But in fact it opens up a much larger can of worms about how we travel into and around our region, and how we could encourage more sustainable tourism across Dumfries and Galloway without risking destroying the qualities visitors come here to enjoy.

Since the ferry terminal moved from Stranraer to Cairnryan, there’s been no rail connection to the ferry and there’s been no safe and attractive cycle route between Stranraer and Cairnryan. There is a shared-use path that runs from the northern outskirt of the town along the A77 towards the ferry terminal. Unfortunately, with 1.8 miles still to go before Cairnryan, it just ends.

There seems to be absolutely no reason why that gap couldn’t easily be filled with a continuation of the path. It wouldn’t be complicated to do – there are no junctions to worry about and there’s plenty of space along most of the road. A simple shared path (fine in rural areas) would save cyclists from having to tangle with heavy ferry traffic, as well as providing a safe space for anyone on foot.

And finally …

Our missing link recommendation ends here, but filling in that gap is only a tiny part of the issue with the link to the ferries. We have no direct train service between Dumfries and Stranraer: with the old Dumfries-Stranraer line long since closed, anyone wanting to travel to Belfast by train has had to head up to Kilmarnock and change. There is the 500 bus service between Dumfries and Stranraer, which does take bikes – but you’re advised to ring ahead and check first as it’s not guaranteed that the vehicle running the service will be set up for cycles.

Reopening the Dumfries-Stranraer line is outside the scope of our campaign, but bikes and trains are natural bedfellows and we are supportive of any moves to reopen the old line, in preference to converting it into a path – including preventing any attempts to infill the bridges that would make that impossible. Having any sort of a rail service west of Dumfries would transform the region in so many ways, opening it up to visitors to bring their bikes instead of their cars, and enjoy the many miles of quiet rural cycling on offer. A direct rail line would also enable lots of freight traffic to be taken off the roads, especially that destined for Northern Ireland, which would benefit everyone in the region.