POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE: 6 SEPTEMBER 2012

BREASCLETE COMMUNITY PATHWAY

Report by Director of Development

PURPOSE OF REPORT To advise Members of the proposed network of pathways to be constructed in the Breasclete area, and to recommend approval of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Comhairle and SUSTRANS.

COMPETENCE 1.1 Legal and financial matters are dealt with in the body of the Report. There are no other constraints to the recommendations being implemented.

SUMMARY 2.1 Breasclete Community Association has developed a plan for the construction of approximately 7.7km of pathways in the Breasclete / area. 2.2 These pathways will interconnect local villages between Breasclete and Garynahine. This will provide safe travel on foot and bicycle, which will provide a range of benefits to groups such as children attending school and the wider community. 2.3 The project will be the basis for encouraging social interaction, highlighting health and environmental matters and accomplishing positive long term behavioural change. 2.4 Some sections of the pathway can be incorporated into the proposed Long Distance Route through the which is currently under development. 2.5 Funding from the project has been secured from SRDP and SUSTRANS. 2.6 The SUSTRANS funding is dependant on support from the relevant Local Authority. The funding package requires a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed by SUSTRANS and the Comhairle. 2.7 A separate agreement will be drawn up between the Comhairle and Breasclete Community Association to transfer responsibility for the management of the project to the Association. RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 It is recommended that the Comhairle: (a) agree to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with SUSTRANS in the form described at Appendix 1 to the Report to enable Breasclete Community Association to access this source of funding subject to (1) such minor amendments as the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Director of Development, shall agree with SUSTRANS and (2) the Comhairle agreeing terms with Breasclete Community Association; and (b) grant delegated authority to the Chief Executive to conclude an agreement between the Comhairle and Breasclete Community Association to impose the role of project management to the said Association on such terms and conditions as he, in consultation with the Director of Development, shall deem appropriate. Contact Officer Diane Macpherson Tel: 01870 604990 Appendix 1: Draft Memorandum of Understanding (SUSTRANS)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION 4.1 Breasclete Community Association is leading on a local initiative to create a cycle path network which will interconnect three neighbouring villages to the main community campus at Breasclete which comprises the Community centre, pre-school building, primary school, bus point and also to encompass various other community facilities such as a play area, Calanais Visitor centre, the Calanais , post office & community garden. This will be a sustainable resource serving all members of the community and other users, enabling people to access all community services using a safe, direct, interconnected route, something not currently possible since there is currently no dedicated and safe path or verge on the majority of local roads. The local children will be able to cycle or walk to school without risk, gaining more confidence and parents’ safety fears will be reduced whilst also encouraging more people to use bicycles. The community need and demand has been highlighted over the years in a 'Have your Say Day' survey, Parent Council minutes, Community Association and Council minutes and a recent postal consultation showing very strong support.

4.2 A feasibility study was carried out in November 2011 which was funded by SUSTRANS.

PROJECT DETAILS 5.1 The project involves the formation of a dedicated, fit for purpose, multi functional interconnected cycle and walking path network.

5.2 The creation of a multi-use path network will interconnect the neighbouring villages of Garynahine, Calanais and Breasclete to the main community campus at Breasclete which comprises the Community centre, pre-school building, primary school and bus pick-up point. The Community centre houses most community groups and their activities, i.e. youth clubs, library, learning associations, bowls club, walky talky, whist club, Seniors club, main activity hall and gym plus hosting many functions.

5.3 The path network will be constructed using recycled infill materials which will create new paths and replace turfed, undulating, unusable verges. Pathway sections running alongside the main double track road will replace uneven overgrown turf verges whilst other sections will be newly created alongside the existing single track loop road where little or no verge currently exists. The pathway will be formed by the removal of the existing turf surface to below the level of the existing road surface, in- filled with a type 1 recycled glass mix where required, then resurfaced with tarmac to a depth of 40mm and width of 1.2m, and delineated with white line division. On sections where no verge exists the pathway will need to be newly created and some roadside ditches will require a 30cm armco pipe laid where the verge is not wide enough to accommodate the path width of 1.2m, this will then be in-filled with type 1 infill recycled glass mix and finished with a tarmac surface but other sections will require little infill since it will be laid on the existing road foundation. The path will be appropriately marked with relevant signs, markers and lines to comply with legislation.

COMMUNITY BENEFITS 6.1 This project will have positive effects in that it will open up a range of options for path usage, encouraging people to gather socially and get involved in more varied activity thereby improving health and raising quality of life. A proper pathway will improve the environment and general appearance by replacing the current overgrown uneven turf verge which is not fit for purpose. 6.2 It will also to encompass various other community facilities such as the community playarea, Calanais Visitor centre, the Calanais Stone circle, post office, community garden, church buildings, various archaeological sites, small businesses, places of interest, places of employment and most domestic dwelling houses.

6.3 A community cycle club will be set up to include leaders who will promote the pathway benefits, organise cycle proficiency lessons, cycle maintenance and monitoring. The local school will have an input through the cycle club, the school travel plan, the cycle friendly school award scheme and Eco Schools .

6.4 The pathway has been discussed by the Community Council, Community Association and Parent Council over a number of years and is documented in the minutes. The community need and interest is recorded in a local 'Have Your Say Day' document dated 2008, shown in a School Travel Plan and has been recorded as an agenda item at various Community Association, Community Council and Parent Council meetings. A local postal consultation has been recently held with 140 letters of support returned from 180 sent out. Letters of support from individuals, organisations, primary school teachers, parents, the Community Association on behalf of all community groups, and the Local Authority were submitted. The pathway project has been included in the BCA development plan for some years and a recent HIE Calanais community survey shows support for the pathways.

STRATEGIC FIT 7.1 The projects will fit with the following local Comhairle strategic actions:

CnES Single Outcome Agreement – which aims to make the Outer Hebrides ‘a safe place to live’ and ensure that ‘the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the people throughout the Outer Hebrides is improved’.

7.2 It also fulfils Scottish Government targets under Cycling Action Plan for Scotland (CAPS). The whole path will contribute to creation of a Hebridean long distance route.

PROJECT FUNDING 8.1 The total estimated project cost is £194,879. Applications for funding were made to the Scottish Rural Development Fund (£145k) and match funding from SUSTRANS (£50k). Both these grant applications were successful.

8.2 SUSTRANS does not provide funding directly to community groups. It channels its funding through the relevant Local Authority. It is therefore necessary that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is signed between SUSTRANS and the Comhairle.

MANAGING RISK 9.1 Since SUSTRANS channels its funding through Local Authorities, the MOU places a number of responsibilities on the Comhairle (see Appendix 1). These include close liaison with SUSTRANS, submitting progress reports and ensuring compliance with specified construction standards and timescales. To minimise the burden on Comhairle resources it is proposed that a separate legal agreement with Breasclete Community Association is drawn up to transfer to them the responsibility for managing the project according to SUSTRANS’ requirements. However, the Comhairle would remain responsible to SUSTRANS.

CONCLUSIONS 10.1 Breasclete Community Association has been successful in their aim to secure funding for the Breasclete Community Pathway.

10.2 The project has wide public support and furthers the aims of the Outer Hebrides Structure Plan, the Single Outcome Agreement and the proposed development of a Long Distance Route.

10.3 Funding has been secured from SRDP, with match funding from SUSTRANS.

10.4 A requirement of the SUSTRANS funding is a Memorandum of Understanding between their organisation and the Comhairle, who will oversee the completion of the project.

10.5 A separate legal agreement will be drawn up between the Comhairle and Breasclete Community Association to transfer the responsibility for management of the project to the Association.