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…