Introduction and Overview
The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 came into effect in February 2005. The Act gives us all a statutory right to access most land and inland water in Scotland by walking, cycling, horse-riding and all other forms of non-motorised access - provided these rights are exercised responsibly.
For more information on the Act and the supporting Scottish Outdoor Access Code visit: www.outdooraccess-scotland.com
What is a Core Paths Plan?
The Act also places a new statutory duty on Local Authorities to develop a Core Paths Plan. The Core Paths Plan will detail the network of core paths which give reasonable access throughout the Local Authority area for as wide a range of non-motorised activities as possible.
What are Core Paths?
It is expected that core paths will have many different characteristics and will encompass a range of path types and surfacing including; natural grass and beaten earth paths, surfaced paths and tracks, waterways and quiet minor public roads and pavements.
It is envisaged that the core paths network will consist of both existing and new paths. Once implemented these routes will form a basic linked path network.
The path network may include public rights of way but there is no presumption that all current public rights of way will become core paths.
Core paths will have a key role to play in outdoor access. They will enable both the promotion of outdoor access and the reduction in potential conflict between the needs of land managers and access users
How will Core Paths benefit path users?
The overall vision for East Renfrewshire is that the vast majority of households will be no more than 250 metres from a core path. The core path network will be accessed via the existing path, pavement, right of way or public road network.
Once on a core path it is expected that access users will be able to travel between communities and facilities both within and outwith East Renfrewshire. It is envisaged that the core path network will improve the quality of life for residents by contributing to; health improvements, increasing opportunities for physical activity, provide sustainable transport improvements and increase tourism opportunities.
Consultation
Saying all of that, what do we want from you? We can't create a network of core paths without consulting you, the users of these paths and land managers. The Council is keen to involve as many people and groups as possible in developing a meaningful network of core paths.
As a starting point, the Council has developed a plan detailing candidate core paths from a variety of sources including published strategies and studies, an assessment of routes against key selection criteria and input from members of the East Renfrewshire Outdoor Access Forum. We are now seeking your views on this Candidate Core Paths Plan.
Purpose of the consultation
A round of consultation is being undertaken on the Candidate Core Paths Plan. The aim of this round of consultation is to obtain feedback on the suitability of the candidate core paths within the plan in terms of meeting the access needs of communities, user groups and individuals while minimising land management issues.
How can I take part?
If you're interested in access to the outdoors or land management, please give us your comments. The consultation period will run for eight weeks from the 14th April to the 6th June 2008.
The Candidate Core Paths Plan and the supporting draft Environmental Report can be viewed:
Online here, by clicking either the Written Statement and Plans link and the Strategic Environmental Assessment link.
Council Headquarters, Eastwood Park, Giffnock
Council Offices, Main Street, Barrhead; and
your Local Library.
You can request a hard copy of the Candidate Core Paths Plan and the draft Environmental Report from the Council's Outdoor Access Officer by telephone on 0141 577 3882, by email at: jim.williamson@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk or by post at:
Outdoor Access Officer
East Renfrewshire Council
Roads Planning and Transportation Service
2 Spiersbridge Way
Spiersbridge Business Park
Thornliebank
G46 8NG
A Consultation Form is available for letting us know your comments on the Candidate Core Paths Plan and on the supporting draft Environmental Report. The Form can be accessed by clicking on the Consultation Form link or requesting a hard copy from the above address.
Please contact the Outdoor Access Officer if you have any difficulties.
What happens next?
Your consultation comments will guide the production of a Draft Core Paths Plan. The Draft Core Paths Plan will then be the subject of a formal twelve week consultation period during late 2008. On completion of the formal consultation process the Council will adopt the final Core Paths Plan and start to signpost and promote the network.