The council-administered fund will allow the Rural Development Trust (RDT) to complete the final 2km segment from Poneil to Douglas (Main Street/Kirkgate). The route largely follows existing forestry paths and existing rights of way. All landowners have been identified, consulted and support the project.

The proposed REF grant of £189,446 will be funded from Douglas West windfarm which contributes into the REF.

Project Officer with the RDT, Dave Graham, said: “We are delighted to receive this latest award of £189,446 for our Active Travel Path project from Poneil to Douglas.

“This award, alongside a further two Renewable Energy Fund awards earlier this year (totalling £445,398) and three awards from the Ian Findlay Path Fund (totalling £300,000) now means we have all the funding in place to deliver a new 10km route from the NCN 74 near Auldton (Lesmahagow) down through Coalburn and Poneil to Douglas.  

“RDT would like to thank our local partners Coalburn Community Action Group, Coalburn Miners Welfare Charitable Society, Douglas Community Council and Douglasdale REAL Group for their continued support with this project. We look forward to progressing to the construction stage, early in the new year, subject to final sign off on all landowner Path Agreements.”

Chair of the council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, Councillor Robert Brown, said: “This is a fantastic project which I am glad the REF is able to support.

“I know that the local community have been fully behind this project and a number of local groups have worked very hard to get it to this stage.

“I look forward to seeing the fully completed route.”

The project is scheduled to commence in February 2025 and be complete by July 2025. Council Officers will work with the applicant to monitor progress.

Further information on the REF can be found on the council website.