Work to improve access to the walking trails at Dalbeattie Town Wood is set to begin next month.

The project will be undertaken by Forestry Commission Scotland and will involve landscaping and redesigning the beginning of the trails.

The work will begin on 2 February and is expected to be completed by 22 February.

In order to allow the work to be carried out, the main car park at Dalbeattie Town Wood will temporarily close. However, visitors will still be able to aces the forest via the William Street and Spycraig entrances. Parking will be available at the 7stanes car park, the Forestry Commission has added.

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The Town Wood Car Park is one of four elements to the project which uses the core path link through the forest between Dalbeattie, Barnbarroch and Colvend. The route provides a safe access from the town to the coast, without users having to use public roads. Signage for the new route will be supplied by Dumfries and Galloway Council. Elsewhere, the development of a new multi-purpose walking and cycling path to link access into the forest at Barnbarroch from Kippford Road End is another element of the project.

Lesley Smith, Communities Officer with Forestry Commission Scotland, commented: "Dalbeattie Forest is very popular and the main car park is heavily used by locals and other visitors. Our work will make the entrance to Dalbeattie Wood more welcoming by separating out the traffic arriving and departing from the same entrance.

"Whilst the work is being carried out the safest option is to temporarily close the main car park. We do understand this may cause some inconvenience and we'd like to thank everyone in advance for their patience and co-operation."

Funding for the project has been secured via the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund.

(JP/IT)