Calls have been made for Network Rail to repair massive potholes on the historic Springfield Heritage Trail.
Walkers claim a section of the route stretching from Bensmoor Road to the Quintinshill railway bridge has been badly damaged by the transport firm’s heavy vehicles.
And during wet weather the popular pathway is virtually impassable for those on foot.
Springfield and Gretna Green Community Council has contacted Network Rail urging it to carry out repairs on the privately-owned lane but to no avail.
Chairwoman Isabella Tranter contacted South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth and Councillor Archie Dryburgh and asked them to intervene.
She said “The local community is stuck in the middle between Network Rail and the landowner.
“The landowner himself hardly uses the road but Network Rail use it all the time and we have contacted them repeatedly about carrying out repairs.
“The community council raised thousands of pounds to create a heritage trail, but the potholes mean local people and visitors can hardly even walk down it.
“It’s a very important route, with a very serious history and it is vital that it is fixed.”
The path offers access to the site of the horror 1915 collision between a local train, a locomotive carrying 500 soldiers from the 1/7th Royal Scots Territorial Battalion and a London sleeper.
May 22 marked the 106th anniversary of the Quintinshill Rail Disaster which saw the deaths of 220 people and left 246 injured.
Mr Smyth said: “This walk has a hugely important history and it is shocking it has got into the state it has, as a result of a significant increase in use by Network Rail.
“May 22 marks the anniversary of the horrendous loss of life as a result of the Quintinshill Railway Disaster and the community council has worked so hard to get heritage status and install information boards and signage but unless the road is repaired soon, no-one is going to be able to use it.”
He added: “The area is extremely popular with those walking their dogs and exercising but the size of the potholes means that the road is almost impassable.
“I have contacted Network Rail and I asked them to work with the community and repair this road as a matter of priority.
“Ultimately, it has been their increased use that led the road to fall into such a shocking state, so I hope they will do the right thing and bring it back up to a usable standard.”
Councillor Dryburgh, who is the authority’s Armed Forces Champion, added: “This is one of four walks which make up the Gretna and Springfield Heritage Trail and it is an important reason a lot of people visit the area.
Network Rail were approached for comment.
