The path, which links St Leonards Primary School with the Brancumhall recreation facilities in East Kilbride, was officially opened by the Chair of the council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, Councillor Robert Brown, ably assisted by pupils from the school, members of the St Leonards Bowling Club, local football clubs, South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture and Councillor Kirsten Robb, the Depute Chair of the council’s Climate and Sustainability Committee.

Councillor Brown said: “This new path will be a huge asset to everyone in the community, not only ensuring a safe walking route for children attending the local primary school, but also all members of the community taking advantage of all the fantastic sports and leisure facilities.”

The creation of the path was supported and financially assisted by the council, SPT and Walking Scotland’s Path Funding programme.

Head Teacher Lorraine Leonard said: “A big thank you to everyone in the community and the council teams who have made this possible.

“It will provide our pupils and their parents with a much more user-friendly route to and from school.”

Everyone involved in the project is now looking forward to what is being planned next for the area.

Councillor Robb, who has been working very closely with the community, said: “Everyone had raised concerns about the state of the existing route so we were all delighted when the work was carried out which clearly aligns with the aims of the council’s safe routes to school programmes.

“I was also delighted that the work has been completed in time for the children and local residents to be able to take part in National Walking Month (May) and next month’s Bike Week 2026 events.”

Councillor Robb and the community are now hoping that everyone will help build on the success of the new path by having their say on more improvements to the area by completing the Brancumhall Park survey.