Cairngorms National Park Authority awards cash to paths

THE Cairngorms National Park Authority has awarded £90,000 to a project that helps to maintain and promote paths in Upper Deeside.

One of the Priorities for Action in the Cairngorms National Park Plan, which sets out its short and long term future, is to provide high quality opportunities for outdoor access. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) made a commitment to that priority last Friday (April 20th) when it agreed to contribute towards the Upper Deeside Access Trust’s (UDAT) work programme for another year.

The UDAT is a charity that carries out improvements and maintenance on paths in and around Upper Deeside.

David Green, the CNPA’s convener, said: “We are pleased to contribute towards a project that is bringing real change to the Cairngorms National Park. UDAT has a very good record of delivering access related work in the area and we look forward to another successful programme of works being completed.

“Improving outdoor access in the Park is a key part of the National Park Plan as it will allow everyone the opportunity to get out and enjoy this special area. It will also help us to tackle climate change as improved and more paths will encourage people to leave their cars at home.”

Bob Grant, the CNPA’s Senior Outdoor Access Officer, said: “The UDAT is a project that the CNPA is pleased to be involved with.

“Outdoor access, maintaining some of the Park’s most important routes and increasing the access opportunity for residents and visitors are very important. This money will go towards helping to maintain more paths in the area, enhance the range of opportunities that already exist and will make a positive contribution to both the local and visitor experience.”

The money for 2007/2008 will go towards projects involved in mountain paths, low ground paths in and around communities and promotion. Some of the works include assessing Mount Keen path in Glen Tanar, developing the Ballater history trail, development of all abilities routes in Dinnet, Ballater and Glen Tanar and updating map boards in Ballater and Braemar.

Other UDAT funders include Aberdeenshire Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and Balmoral Estate.

The CNPA contributed £100,000 to the project last year.

As well as having outdoor access as one of the Priorities for Action, the CNPA board approved the Park’s first ever outdoor access strategy in March, which will provide a more consistent and coordinated approach to delivery and management throughout the Park. It is also in the process of a public consultation exercise to establish the Park’s core paths.