The award is part of a funding package from Sustrans as part of its ‘Places for everyone’ support and funding for active travel projects in Scotland.

The bridge forms a part of Loreburn’s forthcoming Extra Care and Affordable Housing development at Murtholm Farm.

The development will bring new homes, active travel and green infrastructure to Langholm with the bridge providing pedestrian and wheeled access over the River Esk, linking the new development with all of the town’s amenities.

Phase one of the development will include the new bridge and 35 specially designed bungalows where tenants will have access to round-the-clock care and support services.

The second phase will look towards developing further affordable housing on the site which will be a mixture of two, three and four-bedroom homes. All new homes will meet exceptional energy efficiency standards.

Graham Robertson, head of development at Loreburn, commented: “Loreburn Housing Association and our contractors are currently gearing up for site start on the housing element of the Murtholm project in the next couple of months.

“The first part of this will involve the formation of a new junction from the A7 into the new housing development and beyond to the bridge. Securing the funding for the new bridge will also see an integral part of the Murtholm Farm project move forward towards a start on bridge construction in the Autumn of 2022 with the new bridge expected to be completed ahead of the first handover of Loreburn’s new homes in the Spring of 2023.

“This is a hugely exciting project for the Esk Valley, the town of Langholm and for Loreburn HA and our funding partners at Sustrans, The Scottish Government and Dumfries & Galloway Council.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Langholm for their patience thus far as we approach a point where we can begin to make the design work and planning carried out over the last three years become a reality for the local community.”