News on Spaces for People Dumfries and Galloway

Never has it been more important than now that we ensure our town centres are safe spaces for people to live, work and spend time in. In response to COVID-19, Dumfries and Galloway Council is introducing temporary solutions to make it safer for people to walk, cycle and wheel in and around town centres as businesses start to re-open.

Today (13th July), Dumfries and Galloway Council has launched an interactive online tool, Dumfries and Galloway Spaces for People Commonplace , where people can highlight where and why they can’t safely physically distance in the current town centre environment and identify temporary solutions which could help to overcome this.

This information will help us to prioritise and implement temporary interventions where they are most needed, through Sustrans Scotland’s Spaces for People Programme . Funded by Transport Scotland and administered by Sustrans Scotland, Spaces for People is a new, temporary infrastructure programme in Scotland which offers funding and support to make it safer for people who choose to walk, cycle or wheel during COVID-19.

The news page will be kept up to date with information on transport measures that have been proposed by the council to aid physical distancing as well as those that have already been put in place.

Councillor Rob Davidson, Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Economy and Resources Committee said:

“ We welcome you back to our town centres but we need to prioritise and enable safe physical distancing to support local businesses and residents to stay safe by limiting transmission of COVID-19. In our journeys around our town centres, we encourage people to walk, cycle or wheel at a safe physical distance from others, avoiding unnecessary car journeys and always shop safe and shop local .”

Vice Chair, Archie Dryburgh said:

“ We need your help to identify locations in your town centre that may need temporary measures to ensure people can get about safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Do you have trouble practicing physical distancing in your town? Do you Need more space to queue outside shops or pass people on pavements? Then this is your opportunity to shape your local area and have a say in the future of our town centres .”

John Lauder, Deputy CEO Sustrans and National Director Sustrans Scotland and Northern Ireland commented;

“ Sustrans Scotland encourages the people of Dumfries and Galloway to use commonplace tool. It is a great way to have your say in making places better for people to walk, cycle and wheel safely in Dumfries and Galloway. As the local economy reopens, and we hear the news from Transport Scotland of a 25% increase in bike journeys compared to last year, it is vital that people can exercise and make essential journeys on foot and by bike, safely while adhering to physical distancing guidelines. We look forward to working with Dumfries and Galloway Council on the Spaces for People programme. ”

Leave a comment on the map and remember to share the Dumfries and Galloway Commonplace page with your family and friends. The more people involved, the better the needs of the whole community will be reflected.