Paths network will make the outdoors more than just a walk in the park
01/08/08
A network of paths throughout Aberdeen is being developed to enhance the quality of life for people in the city.
Aberdeen City Council is working towards making access to the outdoors more accessible by creating a core paths network. Core paths can be many types of path, ranging from natural ground to built paths.
The new network will be identified and agreed through the preparation of a core paths plan, which is required under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. The plan aims to provide a network of paths for recreation and travel, delivering benefits in quality of life, healthy active lifestyles, economic development, the environment, and social inclusion.
Taken as a whole, the core paths plan must cater for all types of users – including walkers, cyclists, horse-riders, canoeists, and people with disabilities - but not all individual paths will need to be usable by every type of user.
This will help to deliver the city’s vision for a complete paths network throughout Aberdeen, encouraging healthy and sustainable access opportunities for all. It will add to the right of responsible access and the local paths network which already exists.
Last year, Aberdeen City Council developed a consultative draft core paths plan with the involvement of local communities, user groups, land managers, and other stakeholders.
The consultative draft was subject to consultation between December 2007 and February 2008. The information gathered during the consultation has been used to produce a final draft core paths plan.
This plan sets out the proposed network of core paths for Aberdeen City, gives descriptions for the proposed core paths, and provides information on how they were selected.
Copies of the final draft core paths plan document and the accompanying maps for formal consultation are available to view at www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/corepathsplan
Copies can also be seen at all main council offices, including The Point, and at all public libraries across the city. A strategic environmental assessment has also been prepared on the final draft core paths plan, copies of which can also be obtained at the above sources.
The final draft core paths plan will now be subject to a 12 week formal consultation. If you would like to submit any comments or formal objections these must be received in writing by no later than 5pm on Friday, 24 October. Comments forms can be obtained at the locations detailed above.
For further information, write to Core Paths Plan Consultation, Planning and Infrastructure, Strategic Leadership, Aberdeen City Council, St Nicholas House, Aberdeen, AB10 1BW, phone 01224 523316, or email cppconsultation@aberdeencity.gov.uk
If you have any queries regarding this, or any other news story, please contact Aberdeen City Council on: 01224 522000.
