Scottish Mountain Biking Conference-International Edition

“A Scottish Access Model”

Presentation By Angus Duncan Outdoor Access Team Leader- 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 Council Development Services Role of the Outdoor Access Team

• Fulfil the Council’s Statutory Duties under the Land Reform () 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. Developing the Path Network

Falkirk Council Development Services

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 http://www.catca.org.uk/

The River Carron- Communities Along the Carron Project Focus of Falkirk Council Mountain Bike Core Paths Network 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 Project where over £13m has been spent on access and access related infrastructure to date Major Tourism and Economic Development Opportunities:

The Helix Project, John Muir Way, River Carron, Inner Forth and the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals

Kelpies

Path networks a major focus…

Where next for?

Falkirk Council Development Services

Falkirk Council Core Paths Review: Network Expansion?

along with a continued focus on:

management, maintenance, signage and interpretation of the network.

Falkirk Council Development Services As well as help getting into it…signs, leaflets, web, community events, Ranger Service interaction…