THIS REPORT RELATES COUNCIL TO ITEM ON THE AGENDA

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

04/02/03 NOT EXEMPT

STIRLING CITY - STRATEGIC FOOTPATH NETWORK

1 PURPOSE

1.1 To inform Members of the award of funding for three path projects, the need to address the issue of developing a City Path Network and to agree a way forward.

2 SUMMARY

2.1 The preparation of a Core Path Plan for Stirling City has the opportunity to identify and create strategic off-road leisure routes to neighbouring Local Authority areas, heritage sites around the city and connect homes with business, shops, schools and open spaces. Creating a strategic network of paths, including a Forth leisure (name to be decided) route that will improve the quality of life for residents and enhance visitors' enjoyment of the area.

3 RECOMMENDATION(S)

3.1 To note the success in gaining funding for the development of the first phase of 3 path links in Stirling at Raploch, Gowanhill and . These paths represent the first of a series of new paths which will link with existing paths and cycle routes to provide a path network fit for Stirling's new City status and the 21stCentury.

3.2 To agree that the Council, in anticipation of the requirements of the Land Reform Bill, produce core path plans, initially focussing on Stirling City and the development of a strategic off-road path network including the Forth leisure route, Bannockburn Heritage Trail and other off-road leisure paths.

4 CONSIDERATIONS

Background

4.1 The Countryside Service has been responsible for the development and management of the West Highland Way and Lowland / Highland Trail Cycle Route. With the recent establishment of the National Park the Service remains responsible for the management and maintenance of the West

N:\DEMSUPP\NewDecisions\Environmental\Reports\EQ20030204STRATEGICFOOTPATH.doc Highland Way outwith the National Park and the Lowland / Highland cycle trail until such time as this route is handed over to the National Park.

4.2 The Service, as part of the Community Futures Initiative and Community Planning Framework, has been actively involved in the establishment of local footpaths, bridges, signposting and leaflets for Stirling Council’s towns and villages as well as the monitoring of over 400 claimed rights of way and rural footpaths.

4.3 In August 2001, with grant aid from Europe, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Paths for all Partnership, a study was commissioned by the Halcrow Group to map and examine the use and need for footpaths in and around Stirling. The study examined the work of the Local Transport Strategy and “Stirling Cycle Friendly Town” Initiative and the North-South People Corridor Project.

4.4 This lead to the establishment of a Stirling Town (City) Community Paths Project which consulted key user groups and local communities in Stirling and the outlying communities of Bannockburn, Cambusbarron, and .

4.5 Following public consultation, 91% of attendees expressed a wish to see improvement to paths around Stirling. A significant number expressed the desire to see a Forth River route with occasional links to other footpaths and cycleways – the need for signage and ongoing up-keep and maintenance of routes was identified as a key issue.

4.6 The study identified the requirement for a significant number of footpath improvements. A community workshop identified final priorities for a first phase. Based on these priorities, a bid was made to Scottish Natural Heritage and Europe for the top 3 key path links identified as being important to the local community. These paths were also identified as bringing health, social and economic benefits. The projects were –

- Gowanhill - £75,000 linking Top of the Town (Backwalk) to Raploch and the creation of a circular route. With an additional path to the beheading Stone.

- Raploch leisure route - £150,000 – part of the Raploch masterplan and providing a Forth leisure route from Raploch to Stirling Bridge.

- Bannockburn - £75,000. A path linking Thunder Bridge and edge of the Bannockburn Trail to the Fallin Cycle Route around the commonly understood Battle of Bannockburn site.

These bids have now been approved and it is proposed to implement this £300,000 path project over the next 2 years.

New Legislation

4.7 The new Land Reform Bill is likely to place a duty on all Local Authorities to prepare core path plans for their areas. Initial preparatory work on Stirling City’s core path network has identified a number of strategic opportunities to link Stirling with Falkirk, Alloa and the western rural villages with off-road leisure path routes. Strategic off-road routes have the potential to improve the quality of life of residents and the area’s attractiveness to visitors by linking areas of open space, heritage and, recreation, with homes, schools, shops and business.

N:\DEMSUPP\NewDecisions\Environmental\Reports\EQ20030204STRATEGICFOOTPATH.doc Preparatory work on the Stirling City Community Path Network and “Go Forth” Initiative from the Forth Estuary Forum has identified the potential to link existing paths to create a Strategic Path.

4.8 In developing such routes, there is a need to manage and maintain paths in a co-ordinated way. Strategic routes will require consistency of design and maintenance in terms of path surface, signage, seating, fencing and interpretation. Design work on the Raploch Riverside leisure route and the Bannockburn Trail, has identified the need for good design and improved surfacing to reduce future maintenance liabilities. In addition there is a need to co-ordinate and champion the development of the path networks to attract funding and ensure the paths' associated infrastructure (fencing / signage/ seats/ interpretation) are maintained by the Council and private landowners.

4.9 The development and improved maintenance of a River Forth Path will require liaison between a number of Council Services, (Transportation, Leisure, Housing, Grounds Maintenance, Joint Ventures, and Countryside) as well as private landowners e.g. Ogilvie Homes, Cowane Trust. It is proposed that the Environmental Services, having responsibilities under the new Land Reform Bill, take the lead in developing Stirling City’s leisure route the Bannockburn Heritage Trail and other strategic off-road leisure route identified by the Council in future. This will not reduce the role, or responsibilities of other Services to provide and maintain footpaths, adopted footpaths and cycle routes

5 POLICY IMPLICATIONS

5.1 The identification of the Countryside Service to take the lead in the development of strategic off-road paths and core paths is consistent with the requirement of the Land Reform Bill. The provision of strategic core footpaths will meet the strategic aims of sustainability.

6 CONSULTATIONS

6.1 Technical Services, Community Services and Stirling Ventures.

7 RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

7.1 Staffing - No additional implications. Stirling Council currently employs within the Countryside Service an Access Officer, Assistant Access Officer and Development Officer to lead in the development of Access / Leisure routes. A maintenance support team of 6 woodland estate workers is devoted to path maintenance and vegetation clearance as well as other countryside duties.

7.2 Financial - The implementation of a Core Path Network and Strategic Path Network has significant financial implications particularly for future maintenance. The Countryside Service's capital budget for the next three years is largely committed to new access improvements (£150,000 over 3 years) including the projects listed above. The Scottish Office has allocated additional funding to prepare and maintain core paths. £30,000 of this has been allocated to the Countryside Service's revenue budget to create and maintain the off-road core path networks in Stirling and surrounding villages.

N:\DEMSUPP\NewDecisions\Environmental\Reports\EQ20030204STRATEGICFOOTPATH.doc 7.3 The Countryside Service will continue to maximise this revenue and capital funding for the maintenance and development of mixed leisure routes by submitting grant applications to outside bodies as well as bid for any additional resources made available to Stirling Council e.g. Scottish Office Quality of life funding. Community involvement, resource requirements and sources of potential funding for the implementation and maintenance of future phases, corepath plans and Strategic Routes will be reported to future Committees.

8 BACKGROUND PAPERS

8.1 Refocussing the Countryside – Environmental Quality Committee report 6 Sept 01.

Author(s) Name Designation Tel No/Extension

Donald Balsillie Countryside Service Ext 2750 Manager

Approved by Name Designation Signature

Brian Devlin Director of Environmental Services

Date 22 January, 2003 Reference

N:\DEMSUPP\NewDecisions\Environmental\Reports\EQ20030204STRATEGICFOOTPATH.doc