Aspirational Path Report for A092 Cairndow to Strachur 1. Proposed Aspirational Path Page 1 of 14 2. Summary of Representations Received Representation Respondent Organisation/ Objection Summery Respondents Respond Objection Name Group proposed ent withdrawn action Ref No. Objection Frieda Bos Should be a core Add P166 path 3. History of Access i. Right of Way Status - None ii. Recorded Access Issues: There is a padlocked field gate on section of track that does not allow equine access. There is a gap next to the gate, however this is not wide enough to allow horses through. There is also a kissing gate further along the track that prevents equine access being taken The above issues involve separate landowners. Both landowners state that the barriers preventing equine access are not intended to stop horses but to stop quad bikes and other forms of illegal vehicular use, however both also so believe that much of the track is not suitable for horses. 4. Site Visit Sections of the old road are overgrown In some areas the old road cannot be seen With vegetation More vegetation encroachment some section of the track are in a very good condition Page 2 of 14 Another example of a good section The route south of St Catherines follows the Of the track road verge of the A815. 5. Alternative Route/s The objector has stated that an alternative could be used as an alternative to the 1 mile of road between Tighcladich and St Catherines. However this only provides an alternative for a short section of this route where there is a break in the continuity. 6. Consultation with Objectors & Other Interested Parties This path should be a core path, an alternative route through the forestry to the east of the road exists that would not require the use of the road verge approaching St Catherines. 7. Access Officer’s Initial Comments: The proposal follows the old line of the road along the shore between Cairndow and Strachur passing through St Catherines en route. Some sections of the old road are still in a very good condition, with sections being adopted unclassified roads serving houses adjacent to the main road. Other sections are in a poor condition and partially obstructed by vegetation or the modern A815. Some sections of the old road have suffered from subsidence due to erosion from Loch Fyne, and this may increase as a result of the predicted increase in climatic variation and extreme weather events. Ardkinglas and St Catherines; The majority of the section between Ardkinglas and St Catherines is in a reasonable condition. There is one area where the old road has suffered from subsidence, however a route can be taken onto the shore if need be, or an alternative could be found. This is also the section of path where equestrian users have raised the issue of kissing gates obstructing the path. It is therefore recommended that this section is proposed as Core Path NP027 an addition to the Core Paths Plan. See map on following page. It has been suggested that an alternative route avoiding the road verge is available through the forestry to the east of the road and this is proposed as NP028. This is shown on the Ariel mapping below the map. NP028 is proposed as an addition to the Core Paths Plan. Page 3 of 14 In response to the objectors suggestion regarding an alternative route we are also proposing new path NP028 as shown below be included as a Core Path. Page 4 of 14 St Catherines to Strachur: Several long sections along this part of the route no longer exist or have been obstructed by vegetation. The section between St Catherines and Clachan has a lot of sections in a very good condition, however these are more fragmented and the 1.5 mile section of the old road north of Clachan Strachur would require the use of the road verge or major engineering works. The section between the Creggan Inn at Clachan Strachur and Ardnagowan (approximately 1.5 miles) is badly overgrown with little or no traces of the old road remaining. It is therefore considered appropriate that this section continues to be proposed as an Aspirational Path. If there is support from the community in future to upgrade this path and funding becomes available to carry out the required work it could then be proposed as a Core Path. Page 5 of 14 8. Advice received from the Access Forum Argyll and Bute Council Core Path Plan Finalised Draft 2012 Minute of Discussions by the Access Forum Path Number: A092 Path Name: Cairndow to Strachur Forum Members Present x John Urquhart (Chair) x John Little x Niall McAlister Hall (Vice Chair) x Duncan McDonald x Fiona Russell x Stuart Shaw Declarations of Interest x None Members Familiar with the Location x John Urquhart x Fiona Russell Discussions x Current condition of the route x Pros and cons of the Aspirational Path becoming a Core Path x Ardkinglas have a history of being access friendly Access Forum Advice to Argyll and Bute Council Support Officer’s Recommendation (in Section 7) Object to Officer’s Recommendation (in Section 7) Mixed opinion amongst Access Forum members (record all views below) Majority View A unanimous view that the whole route remain as an Aspirational Path. It was recommended that the Council work with Ardkinglas Estate towards upgrading this route to a standard suitable for Core Path status over the coming years. Minority View None 9. Access Officer’s Final Recommendations The final recommendation is that since the route requires considerable work to address a section of the path that has been eroded by recent storms the route should be designated as an Aspirational Route. The Access Team will enter discussions with the land owners regarding improving the path once the Core Paths Plan has been adopted. Therefore there is no proposed change to the Core Paths Plan. Page 6 of 14 10. Appendices Appendix I. Copies of the representations received during the formal consultation Page 7 of 14 Appendix II. Copies of relevant correspondence Correspondence with Councillor Bruce Marshall - received after the Forum gave its advice to the Council From: Gritten, Jolyon Sent: Monday, February 04, 2013 11:34 AM To: Marshall, Bruce Cc: Grierson, Douglas Subject: RE: Core Path Reports Dear Councillor Although the Access Forum members have already met to give their advice to the Councillor on these objections I will copy your comments into the reports so that they are available to the Reporter as part of the Public Inquiry Process. The Objection Reports will be sent to the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals in the next couple of weeks, and they will appoint a Reporter to conduct an Inquiry. Yours sincerely, Jolyon Gritten Access Manager Development & Infrastructure Services, Argyll & Bute Council Manse Brae Offices, Lochgilphead, ARGYLL, PA31 8RT Tel: 0154 660 4314, Mobile: 0782 788 3167 Email: [email protected] From: Marshall, Bruce Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2013 11:26 AM To: Gritten, Jolyon Cc: Grierson, Douglas Subject: Core Path Reports Jolyon Re your paper to the Bute & Cowal Area Committee in which you ask for comment, I apologise for being late in making my comments. A092 Obviously much work required to produce a continuous quality path but I am very much in favour as walking on the A815 all the way from Cairndow to Strachur would be an unpleasant experience Councillor Bruce Marshall - Ward 6 Cowal Violet Grove, Strone, Dunoon, PA23 8RX 01369840346, 07717772097 Page 8 of 14 Appendix III. Copies of responses additional consultations Page 9 of 14 Page 10 of 14 From: J Robin Dixon [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 19 June 2012 12:58 To: Gritten, Jolyon Subject: St Catherines- Core Path NP028 Dear Jolyon Please find attached correspondence re a possible alternative detour from Ardkinglas to St Catherines. I act as manager for the landowner. I believe the proposal came from someone called Freda Bos who has never been in touch with the landowners of the proposed “detour”. Quite frankly I do not think anyone is going to want to walk up a steep hill and approx. 50% extra distance and as you approach St Catherines the access is not on my clients land and passes some very new homes, etc. The eastern part is a timber haul route which I am not keen to see doubled up as an access for walkers, cyclists and horses as this could lead to increased accident risk. The western part is a nice “local” walk but not, in my view, a core path. Please let me know what is in the next step. ROBIN DIXON & SON LTD Barfad Farm Office School Road Tarbert Argyll PA29 6UL Tel: +44 (0) 1880 821133 Fax: +44 (0) 1880 821147 Email: [email protected] Page 11 of 14 Page 12 of 14 Page 13 of 14 Page 14 of 14 .