Orkney Core Paths Plan Contents Foreward ii 1 Introducing Core Paths 1 3 Appendix 1: Core Paths Network Maps 23 1.1 What is a Core Paths Plan? 1 North Ronaldsay 24 1.2 Aims of the Core Paths Plan 2 Papa Westray 25 1.3 Preparation of the Core Paths Plan 2 Westray 26 1.4 Selecting Core Paths 3 Sanday 27 Eday 28 Rousay 29 2 Core Paths Networks for each Egilsay and Wyre 30 island and parish in Orkney 5 Stronsay 31 Shapinsay 32 2.1 North Ronaldsay 6 Kirkwall and St Ola 33 2.2 Papa Westray 7 Kirkwall 34 2.3 Westray 8 Tankerness 35 2.4 Sanday 9 Deerness 36 2.5 Eday 10 Holm 37 2.6 Rousay 11 Hoy 38 2.7 Egilsay and Wyre 12 North and South Walls 39 2.8 Stronsay 12 Burray 40 2.9 Shapinsay 13 South Ronaldsay 41 2.10 Kirkwall and St Ola 14 Flotta 42 2.11 Tankerness 15 Graemsay 43 2.12 Deerness 15 West Mainland 1 44 2.13 Holm 16 West Mainland 2 45 2.14 Hoy 17 West Mainland 3 46 2.15 North and South Walls 18 West Mainland 4 47 2.16 Burray 19 2.17 South Ronaldsay 20 2.18 Flotta 21 2.19 Graemsay 21 2.20 West Mainland 22 i Orkney Core Paths Plan Introducing Core Paths 1.1 WHAT IS A CORE PATHS PLAN? The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 created a new right of responsible access over most land and inland water. As well as establishing this wider access right the legislation acknowledged that paths play a very important role in managing outdoor access and the majority of people do prefer to use defined paths. As a result one of the key duties in the Act is for local authorities to produce a Core Paths Plan. The purpose of the Core Paths Plan is to 1 identify a framework of paths which will provide local residents and visitors with reasonable access throughout their local authority area. Core Paths will form the basic network of paths that allow people to enjoy and get around the countryside.This framework of routes will link to, and support, other networks of paths and the wider countryside. The Core Paths Plan should include a wide range of routes suitable for different types of users, including walkers, cyclists and horse riders, as well as providing access opportunities for people of varying ability. The majority of Core Paths will be existing, well established and popular routes such as public rights of way and paths currently managed by the Council or landowners. However, the Core Paths Plan can also include new routes and any other routes that will help the public to access the outdoors. Paths will vary in character depending on their location and who needs to use the path. So there will be natural grassy paths, as well as hard surfaced multi-user paths and even some quiet roads can be included as Core Paths.The paths will also be well managed, signposted and promoted to ensure that the public can fully use and enjoy them. 1 Orkney Core Paths Plan While Core Paths will be an important part of The aim of the Core Paths Plan is to help non motorised outdoor access, it is important achieve this vision.The following objectives to remember that this basic framework of outline how the Core Paths Network will paths is only one element of the access rights contribute to the improvement of outdoor created by the Land Reform (Scotland) Act access in the islands: 2003.Three interlinking levels of access will be available for the public: • by providing a co-ordinated, actively promoted and well maintained network of paths • the basic framework of Core Paths • by providing a range of opportunities suitable • the wider path network linking to the Core for different user groups and people of Paths and including all other formal and all abilities which are safe, welcoming and informal routes enjoyable • the general right of responsible access which is • by working with land managers to achieve a not restricted to paths. balance between the needs of access users and the needs of those living and working on the It is intended that the provision of Core land. Paths will improve outdoor access in Orkney • by promoting sustainable access which – whether it is for enjoying our remarkable safeguards the natural, built and cultural natural and historical heritage, taking the dog heritage. for a walk or getting to school.They will also provide opportunities for managing public 1.3 PREPARATION OF THE CORE PATHS access in a way that reduces the impact of PLAN access users on farming activities. Countryside access in Orkney has been 1.2 AIMS OF THE CORE PATHS PLAN developing over many years, to the extent that we now have a variety of paths throughout The vision for outdoor access in Orkney as the islands. Paths have been developed in identified in Orkney’s Outdoor Access Strategy conjunction with various community groups, is: ‘To promote enjoyment of the outdoors by landowners, organisations and agencies.Through providing high quality, sustainable access provision, this work the Council has built up considerable which satisfies the needs and aspirations of the knowledge of access needs and requirements local community and visitors to the islands.’ in Orkney.This background work has been 2 Orkney Core Paths Plan a useful tool to support the consultations Planning displays and meetings in their areas. required as part of the development of the Core Paths Plan. A suite of maps was compiled as a result of these consultations and with input from Guidance on the development of Core experienced officials within the Council.These Paths Plans suggests that extensive informal maps, plus accompanying text, formed the basis consultation is undertaken before the of the draft Core Paths Plan. draft Core Paths Plan goes out to formal consultation. In Orkney there have been two informal consultation phases. In the first phase Formal public consultation on the draft the aim was to gather information on the Orkney Core Paths Plan was undertaken from current provision for access, future demand for 8 February to 10 May 2008.The draft plan access and the key access issues for each area consultation was advertised in the local press, of Orkney. In addition to gathering this useful on the Council website and on the Orkney background information, this consultation also Local Access Forum website. focussed on identifying key paths in each island or parish. In total there were only 4 formal objections to the plan. It has been possible to resolve each of During this phase public meetings were held these objections and the Core Paths Plan maps in all the islands and parishes of Orkney.There have been amended to take account of the were also meetings with key organisations changes required to address the issues. Overall, and agencies, especially members of the Local changes to the Plan have been minimal, with Access Forum. Other methods were also used the routes of only 3 paths being altered. to gather information about outdoor access and key paths. Questionnaires were sent out to a wide range of user groups, land managers In line with the new Orkney Local and tourists to get their views. Information was Development Plan it is necessary to formally displayed at key locations, such as the public establish the status of the Core Paths Plan as library. statutory Supplementary Guidance.The Core Paths Plan will be subject to a further round of Following this first phase Council access staff consulation alongside the Proposed Plan. undertook an assessment of the suggested Core Paths against certain selection criteria The total length of the Core Paths in the final and began to develop maps showing candidate Orkney Core Paths Plan is 378 miles. Core Paths. At this stage it was also important to check paths ‘on the ground’, by surveying each route to assess its condition and identify 1.4 SELECTING CORE PATHS any relevant issues. Criteria were used to help select paths for The second phase of consultation was geared inclusion in the Core Paths Plan.These criteria towards confirmation of the paths that ouldw were developed to reflect the objectives of the be included in the draft Core Paths Plan. A plan and also with reference to the information ‘Core Paths Planning Information Pack’ was gathered at public consultations. Each path developed to help the public respond to the identified as a candidate Core Path in the consultation, maps were displayed at prominent consultation, has been scored against these places on the mainland and the isles and ‘drop criteria. in’ sessions were held at key locations.The Local Access Forum played an important role in this phase with forum representatives consulting An assessment has also been made of the extensively with members of their organisations proposed network for each area, ie considering and groups. Island development trusts, tourist all the candidate paths in a particular area and associations and community councils also whether together these paths provide sufficient played a very active part, organising Core Paths access for the needs of that island or parish. 3 Orkney Core Paths Plan The selection criteria used are as follows: • where possible they should have a positive management effect on the heritage. Is there community demand for the route? Does it link and support wider path networks • demand for the route was identified during or wider access rights consultations • there is a high level of current usage • Core Paths should link with other Core Paths • it is an already promoted path and/or wider path networks Is it safe and fit for purpose? • Core Paths may provide links through enclosed farmland to open areas where access rights apply eg hill ground.