EXPLORE ABERDEEN

Final Draft Core Paths Plan

Aberdeen City Council is working towards making access to the outdoors more than just a 'walk in the park'. In addition to the right of responsible access and the local path networks that already exist, we are developing a basic network of 'core paths'. The network of 'core paths' will be identified and agreed through the preparation of a Core Paths Plan, which all local authorities are required to produce under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. Photo - Core Paths walkersThe Act states that the Core Paths Plan should "provide the basic framework of routes sufficient for the purpose of giving the public reasonable access throughout their area. The basic framework of routes will link into, and support, wider networks of other paths". The 'core paths' network must cater for all abilities and user types (e.g. walkers, cyclists, horse-riders, canoeists) but not every core path has to be suitable for use by all. Core paths can be many types of path, ranging from natural ground to high specification constructed paths.

Photo - Core Paths holburn bridge Local path networks exist already and are often informal but very important for linking people and places. The system of core paths will satisfy the basic needs of local people and visitors for recreation and for getting about, and provide key links to the wider path network. They could also help to manage access in environmentally sensitive areas and assist land management.  The Core Paths Plan aims to deliver benefits in quality of life; healthy, active lifestyles; economic development; the environment and social inclusion.

Aberdeen City Council has developed a Final Draft Core Paths Plan, showing the proposed core paths network throughout Aberdeen City. In preparing the Final Draft Core Paths Plan, we have taken into consideration comments received during the consultation on the Consultative Draft Core Paths Plan, during which we invited comment from all those with an interest. This included current and potential users of the outdoors, communities, land managers and others, such as partner agencies (whose aims, the Core Paths Plan may help to deliver) and other organisations. We have used these comments to build upon the Consultative Draft in order to produce the Final Draft Core Paths Plan. This has resulted in the amendment or removal of some routes and the addition of others.

The Final Draft Core Paths Plan sets out the network of proposed core paths, gives descriptions of the proposed core paths and provides information on how they were selected. Please click on the following links to view the document and the maps. Alternatively, copies of the Final Draft Core Paths Plan and the accompanying maps for formal consultation are available to view at all main Council buildings, including The Point, and also at all public libraries across the City.

The Final Draft Core Paths Plan was subject to a twelve week formal consultation ending 24 October 2008. Copies of the consultation results can be viewed via the link on this page. They are also available to view at main Council Offices, including the Point, and at all public libraries across the Aberdeen City Council area. 

Maps

Map 1: Blackburn Map 2: Dyce Map 3: Bridge of Don North Map 4: Elrick Country Park
Map 5: Kingswells Map 6: Bridge of Don and Seaton Map 7: Peterculter North Map 8: Rubislaw and City Centre West
Map 9: City Centre and Torry Map 10: Peterculter Map 11: Cults and Milltimber Map 12: Cove


Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is the environmental assessment of strategies, policies, plans and programmes. It is carried out in order to consider the likely environmental effects of strategies, plans and programmes. The SEA Environmental Report on the Core Paths Plan outlines the environmental policies that the Council will work by in implementing the Plan, and the mitigation measures that will be adopted to prevent, reduce or offset environmental impacts of the schemes proposed through the Core Paths Plan. To view the SEA for the Aberdeen City Core Paths Plan please follow the link below. It can also be viewed at main Council offices.

Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment of the Aberdeen Core Paths Plan

In order to ensure that the Core Paths Plan does not discriminate against any user group (ethnic minorities, gender, the elderly etc) and to maximise opportunities to promote equality and human rights, an Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment was carried out. To view the Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment please follow the link below:

Selection Criteria

Core Paths image In line with the vision, aims and objectives, a Core Paths Criteria Checklist was designed as a tool to inform the selection of proposed core paths.

Each of the proposed core paths included within the Final Draft Core Paths Plan has been assessed against a variety of criteria. Surveyors have scored each path on a scale from minus two to plus two based on the how well the path addresses the issues covered by the criteria.

It is to be emphasised that this appraisal scoring system has simply been one tool in the process of identifying our network of proposed core paths. Nevertheless, the appraisal system has played an important part in informing decisions on the content of the Core Paths Plan. In general terms, those paths proposed as core paths have performed well against the majority of the selection criteria.

Contact(s)

  • Core Paths Plan Consultation
    Aberdeen City Council
    Strategic Leadership
    Planning and Infrastructure
    8th Floor St. Nicholas House
    Broad Street
    Aberdeen
    AB10 1BW
    Phone: 01224 523316
    Fax: 01224 636181
    Email: cppconsultation@aberdeencity.gov.uk

Frequently Asked Question(s)