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Friday May 16
Welcome to Council News, your fortnightly update from our council.
Our team is always keen to give you updates on the things that matter the most to you.
We also want to share positive stories about things that are happening in your community.
If you have news that you'd like to share – shining a light on an individual, community group or event – we would love to feature them in our Community bulletin.
Please email us at communitybulletin@dumgal.gov.uk with feedback or story ideas and one of our reporters will get back to you.
 Kirkcudbright Bridge to Reopen to Cars and Light Vans by Wednesday 2 July
Dumfries and Galloway Council will reopen Kirkcudbright Bridge under single-lane traffic for cars and light vans, it was announced today (Friday 16 May).
The reopening will take place on or before Wednesday 2 July 2025.
Kirkcudbright Bridge remains closed to all vehicles in the interest of public safety until the bridge reopens to cars and light vans. The bridge is open to pedestrians and cyclists.
Drop-in events will be held in Kirkcudbright on Wednesday 21 May from 4 to 7pm in a pop-up gazebo at the Merse side of the bridge and Tuesday 27 May from 5 to 7.30pm at The Johnstone.
This will give the community and businesses the opportunity to speak to council officers and learn more about the short- and long-term options for Kirkcudbright Bridge.
Today’s announcement follows rigorous technical assessment and analysis by the council’s engineering team and its engineering consultant, Mott MacDonald.
A three-tonne weight limit and width restrictions will be in force when the bridge reopens.
Traffic controls will be put in place that will allow cars and light vans up to three tonnes to use the bridge. A single-lane chicane system with width restrictions will be installed that will help to control access and limit the weight on the bridge.
A new lowered speed limit of 20mph will also help to control traffic speeds and reduce the impact on the bridge.
New kerbing, bollards and large solid planter boxes will form the chicane gateways and prevent drivers of vehicles over three tonnes from attempting to cross. Temporary traffic lights will manage the one-way flow of vehicles.
In addition to the single-lane system for vehicles, space will be allocated for a dedicated cycleway next to the existing footway across the bridge. This will create a safer crossing experience for pedestrians and cyclists while encouraging active travel.
To ensure public safety and legal compliance, the reopening will be accompanied by a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) enforcing a 3-tonne weight limit. This replaces the TTRO issued on 9 May to close the bridge.
In addition to planning the reopening of Kirkcudbright Bridge to cars and light vans, council officers are working on options for a new bridge as a long-term solution.
The council will continue to provide public updates through its dedicated webpage – Kirkcudbright Bridge Closure – Updates | Dumfries and Galloway Council – and social media channels.
Litter Strategy for Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway Council would like to understand your views on litter prevention and litter reduction across the region to inform the future Dumfries and Galloway Litter Prevention Strategy and Litter Reduction Action Plan.
This will ensure that all stakeholders’ views are appropriately considered in local and national context, and we become a litter free region within a circular economy that can reduce, recycle and reuse unwanted materials.
Water Scarcity
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has warned that water levels in the river catchments for the Annan, Cree, Dee, Esk and Nith have fallen to alert levels.
The sustained period of dry weather may exert pressure in areas that have not yet experienced water scarcity. Water scarcity is when there is not enough water, of sufficient quality, to meet the demands of humans and ecology. It occurs when the balance between supply and demand gets disrupted. A reduction in water supply, due to long periods of dry weather, can mean there’s not enough water to meet water needs in an area.
SEPA is responsible for the forecast, monitoring and report of the situation facing Scotland's water resources and produces a regular report during the summer months. Reports are published weekly.
You can also get helpful advice about keeping safe in hot weather from the Dumfries and Galloway Council website. This webpage is designed as a one-stop shop for householders affected by hot weather. It signposts to help and support available.
Dumfriesshire Education Trust
The Dumfriesshire Educational Trust offers several scholarships, bursaries, and grants to help people living in the former county of Dumfriesshire who want to attend educational activities.
Supplementary bursaries for students are available for young people who have gone to school in Dumfriesshire and want to go to University. Applicants must fit the following criteria to apply:
- People who live in Dumfriesshire.
- People who have gone to school in Dumfriesshire for at least five years.
- People who are enrolled in college or university.
- People who have received a bursary from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for the 2025/26 school year.
Bursary amounts between £250 and £2000 are available.
The Edinburgh-Dumfries Scholarship exists for those secondary school students who have mostly gone to school in Dumfriesshire and want to go to the University of Edinburgh or another Edinburgh-based college or university.
Up to eight awards are available and the following people can apply:
- People who live in Dumfriesshire.
- People who have gone to school in Dumfriesshire for at least five years.
- People who want to go to the University of Edinburgh or another college or university.
Awards are based on an applicant's S5 results and a report by their Headteacher. Applications are open now and decisions will be finalised in September.
Completed forms should be sent to: det@dumgal.gov.uk.
 Stay Alert to Wildfires
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service warns of a continued very high risk of wildfires across the region as the dry period continues.
The very high risk assessment remains in place for the coming week and updates can be found on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website.
Wildfires have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife. The welfare of nearby communities is put at serious risk from nearby wildfires. Before igniting any flames in a rural or outdoor setting, check which areas of Scotland may be at threat of wildfires. If a threat is in place, please refrain from igniting any flames.
If you discover a wildfire, these are the recommended steps:
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Safety first: position yourself away from the fire, smoke, and any vegetation. If you are in your car, close all windows and vents.
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Call 999 immediately: request the Fire Service.
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Stay calm, be detailed: clearly state your location (road names, landmarks, or use a locator app like What3Words). Describe the fire's size and direction of spread.
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Do not fight the fire: wildfires are unpredictable and dangerous. Leave the firefighting to us, it’s what we are trained to do.
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Stay far away from the wildfire: the fire can smoulder or spread underground.
There is a further help and advice available from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website and you can find the latest wildfire alerts for your area.
In the News
We publish all of our press releases from the last 12 months on our website so you can keep up-to-date.
Recent releases include:
- Council to deliver £13.8 million in transport improvement projects.
- The region marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Have Your Say
We welcome your feedback and hold public consultations and information days so that you can take part in decisions that affect you.
Watch Council Meetings
We stream videos of a wide range of council meetings on our YouTube channel.
Recent recordings include:
- Local Review Body.
- Dumfries Common Good Fund Sub Committee.
- Nithsdale Area Committee.
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