Wheel chair users, mums with buggies, people with physical disabilities and cyclists are just some of the people set to benefit from the upgrading of a 1.9km section of the Penicuik – Dalkeith.

The route between Dalhousie Chesters, (just outside Bonnyrigg) and Rosewell has been upgraded to make the Walkway more accessible for all users.

The Penicuik to Dalkeith Walkway, being a former railway line forms a spinal route through many of Midlothian’s settlements with connecting paths leading off into local towns and the wider countryside. The new section has been upgraded to a similar standard as the existing section between Dalkeith and Bonnyrigg.

All users are set to benefit from the improvements however the new path will be particularly beneficial for wheel chair users, mums with buggies, people with physical disabilities and cyclists who might have found the previous route inconvenient – particularly in wet weather and during the winter. As a result of this work, the route has become more suitable for use throughout the year.

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The project was supported by local elected members, community councils, disabled interest groups and cycling groups. The Council’s Ranger Service, which is responsible for the route, has already received positive feedback about the improvements. The developments were also discussed with local equestrian groups and an adjacent path for horses was made up along sections of the new route which might not be suitable for horses.

The project was completed in two phases. The first and largest phase of 1.3km, which cost over £100,000, was funded by WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental Limited) and from funds generated by royalties arising from the removal of coal from the Newbigging and Shewington Open Cast mines. The disbursement of funding from these royalties is approved by the Council’s General Purposes Committee subject to the approval of Scottish Coal. WREN provided £50,000 and the Council’s General Purposes Committee approved £50,000 to develop the Walkway.

The second and smaller phase of 0.6km cost approximately £47,000. This phase was funded by Midlothian Council’s Environmental Improvement Allocation, which contributed £25,000, with the remainder coming from the Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets project.

Councillor Wilma Chalmers, Midlothian Council Cabinet Member for Commercial Services, said: “The Penicuik – Dalkeith Walkway is an important route that allows easy access for people to enjoy the spectacular landscapes and visitors attractions of Midlothian. This latest upgrade of the section between Dalhousie Chesters and Rosewell will allow even more users to make greater use of this local asset and to access the wider countryside.

“The upgraded section is more accessible for a variety of users and I hope as many people as possible take the opportunity to use the walkway and the paths that link to the wider countryside in the forthcoming holidays and beyond.”

(GK/BMcc)