The footbridge over Park Burn on Penny’s Path (at Westermains, Kirkintilloch) was removed in Autumn of 2021. No date has yet been given for the bridge to be rebuilt, meaning we are unable to use this path.

Penny’s footpath is part of the East Dunbartonshire Council core paths network and has been a well-used-used asset for the community of East Dunbartonshire for many years. It provides a traffic-free link between the Torrance Footpath, Hayston, Adamslie and the Canal footpath, promoting active travel and leisure options for local school children and residents and tourists alike. Without this bridge it is not possible for walkers or cyclists to complete the “Torrance Loop” (a very popular circular route), it is not possible for children from Hayston and Adamslie to walk and cycle to school in a traffic-free environment and it is not possible for local residents to choose to leave the car and travel by foot/bike to when making local journeys instead of driving. How can walkers ever be welcome in East Dunbartonshire when part of the core paths network is closed?

We demand that a plan for reinstating this vital structure is put in place as soon as possible so that residents and tourists can once again benefit from the network of paths that it supports.