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“A Scottish Access Model” · The Falkirk Wheel, Union Canal and The Forth & Clyde Canal....
Transcript of “A Scottish Access Model” · The Falkirk Wheel, Union Canal and The Forth & Clyde Canal....
Scottish Mountain Biking Conference-International Edition
“A Scottish Access Model”
Presentation
By
Angus Duncan
Outdoor Access Team Leader- Falkirk Council
Facts about Falkirk
• Local Authority Area: 297 square miles
• Urban, semi-urban and rural settings
• Population: 154,380
• Households: 68,974
• Outdoor Access Team - 3 members of staff
• Off Road Access Network: >580km
Falkirk CouncilDevelopment Services
Role of the Outdoor Access Team
• Fulfil the Council’s Statutory Duties under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967.
• To develop and deliver the implementation of the Councils’ Outdoor Access (Green Network) Strategy and Core Paths Plan, improving local access opportunities for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and the less-able within the Council area.
• Act as the lead in the council ensuring compliance with the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 towards fulfilment of the councils statutory duties to uphold access rights and exercise of statutory powers.
Falkirk CouncilDevelopment Services
Developing the Path Network
Community and landowner consultation
Falkirk Council
Core Paths Network
Delivering the Network
1998-2014
Project delivery mechanisms
•Local Authority led and delivered projects
•Projects developed and implemented in partnership
•Landowner led and delivered projects
•Community and user group led projects and initiatives
•Developer led and delivered projects
The Partnership Involved
SUSTRANS
Scottish Natural Heritage
Sport Scotland
Central Scotland Green Network Trust
Forestry Commission Scotland
Scottish Canals
Callendar Estate
Falkirk Environment Trust
Falkirk Area Rider Access Group
Scottish Government
Scottish Cycling
Cycling Scotland
Community Councils and community “user” groups
Paths for All Partnership
Forth Valley LEADER
The Conservation Volunteers
Private landowners & developers
Working with Scottish Canals –
The Falkirk Wheel, Union Canal and The Forth & Clyde Canal
Working with Scottish Canals and Historic Scotland:
Connecting The Falkirk Wheel and Antonine Wall World Heritage Site
Working with Neighbouring Authorities and Charitable Trusts
River Avon Heritage Trail
Working with landowners
Working with Community Groups
The River Carron-
Communities Along the Carron Project
http://www.catca.org.uk/
Falkirk Council
Core Paths Network
Focus of
Mountain Bike
Activity
Trails
Some figures
Project delivery outcomes 1998-2014
•Partnership project investment in access is £18.7m
(average c.£1.16m per annum)
•Over 370km of off road paths created, upgraded, inspected and regularly
maintained (ETU, Bespoke, Falkirk Council)
•An adopted Core Path Network of 387km within a full off road network in
excess of 580km
•Provided over 51,000 employment days (22 full time equivalents)
•Financial figures exclude the Helix Project where over £13m has been spent
on access and access related infrastructure to date
The Helix Project, John Muir Way,
River Carron, Inner Forth and the
Forth & Clyde and Union Canals
Path networks a major focus…
Kelpies
Major Tourism and Economic
Development Opportunities:
Where next for?
Falkirk CouncilDevelopment Services
Falkirk Council
Core Paths Review:
Network Expansion?
along with a continued focus on:
management, maintenance, signage and
interpretation of the network.
Falkirk CouncilDevelopment Services
As well as help getting into it…signs, leaflets, web, community events,
Ranger Service interaction…