A six-year programme to refurbish the Strathkelvin Railway Path was completed last week.

The £130,000 upgrade was funded by East Dunbartonshire Council and cycling charity Sustrans.

The path has been upgraded to make it accessible to walkers, cyclists, disabled users and horse riders of all ages and abilities.

Councillor John Dempsey, Vice-Convener of the Development and Infrastructure Committee, opened the section from Lennoxtown to Strathblane last week.

This completed a process of upgrading the path in its entirety from Kirkintilloch to Strathblane in Stirlingshire, connecting Kirkintilloch to the West Highland Way.

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The path not only connects the Campsie villages but it is also hoped it will attract visitors to the area by making links to the well-known Forth & Clyde Canal and West Highland Way routes.

Councillor Dempsey said: "It is an eight-mile cycle from Kirkintilloch to Strathblane along the flat surface of the railway path. It is almost all off road and an excellent ride for families with older children.

"The railway line closed over 40 years ago. It was made into the Strathkelvin Railway Path 20 years ago and now the improved path will keep people walking and cycling and horse riding for another 20 years."

The Councillor thanked Sustrans for contributing £66,000 towards the path, Cycling Scotland who prepared the designs, local farmers for giving access over their farm tracks, and Stirling Council for their input.

(GK/BMcC)