The board of the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) has pledged its continued support for the Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust (COAT) with funding worth £185,000 for the coming year.

The support will ensure the ongoing and valuable work of COAT can continue including delivery of the highly rated Walking to Health project, community path networks and upland path improvements.

The board of the CNPA approved the funding at a meeting in Ballater on Friday 18 March 2011.

CNPA board member, Eleanor Mackintosh, said: “COAT has made a real difference to the lives of people in the National Park. Communities have been helped to rebuild paths, many of which had fallen into disrepair; the health of people has improved and our mountains can be explored and enjoyed without damaging the precious landscape. This investment will allow this good work to continue.”

Dougie Baird, COAT Manager said: “This is great news and will enable COAT to attract more external grants and partner funders in developing Access initiatives throughout the National Park and surrounding area”

Visit the COAT website.