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Cairngorms

Public gets its say over Cairngorms National Park core paths

5th April 2007

THE public is being asked for its opinions over the future of the Cairngorms National Park core paths network.

One of the key aims of the Cairngorms National Park Plan, which sets out the long-term future of the Park, is to provide high quality opportunities for outdoor access. An Interim Draft Core Paths Plan has been produced which details all the proposed core paths. Public meetings are being held throughout April and May giving the public the opportunity to respond to the document.

The meetings will be run by the Cairngorms National Park Authority’s (CNPA) Outdoor Access team, who along with partners, drew up the document. They will give a presentation on the proposed network, how it will work and what it will mean for communities and the wider public. There will also be a question and answer session for the audience. The document, including the maps of the proposed core paths, will also be available at each meeting for viewing.

It is hoped the meetings will give the public a better understanding of the Core Paths Plan network. It will also give them the opportunity to give their opinions and recommendations on improvements.

Sandra Middleton, Outdoor Access Officer at the CNPA, said: “It is vital the public not only understand what the Core Paths Plan is and what it will bring but that people engage with us about what they think.

“The core paths network will deliver improved outdoor access around the Park for everyone and encourage more people to get outdoors. Core paths will also assist land managers by managing access across land.

“We want to deliver something that people not only want, but will actually use. This is about the whole network within the Park; we need the public to help make sure we get this right and the best way of making that happen is by coming to these meetings.”

The public meetings are being held around the Park and are open to everyone. Participants can attend meetings in any area, regardless of whether they live there or not as they will focus on the wider issues and aims of the Core Paths Plan.

The CNPA Outdoor Access team will also be engaging with community councils to involve them in the consultation process. Through the councils consulting with their communities they will be able to draw up community responses to the proposed network.

The public will still have the opportunity to respond to the Interim Draft Core Paths Plan after the meetings as the consultation process is open until June 30th.

Following the consultation process the Interim Draft Core Paths Plan will undergo any necessary changes and a final version will be submitted to Scottish Ministers next February. It will then go on formal public consultation.

To view the Interim Draft Core Paths Plan, dates of the public meetings or to submit comments please visit www.cairngorms.co.uk   For copies of the Interim Draft Core Paths Plan please contact the Cairngorms National Park Authority, 14 The Square, Grantown-on-Spey, PH26 3PL , [email protected]  or 01479 873 535.

The meetings will take place:

  • Wednesday April 18th – Braemar Village Hall 7.30-9.30pm;
  • Thursday April 19th – Tomintoul Village Hall 7pm;
  • Tuesday April 24th – Carr-Bridge Village Hall 7.30-9.30pm;
  • Thursday April 26th- Newtonmore Village Hall 6.30-8.30pm;
  • Saturday April 28th – Marquee at Balmoral Road Races
  • Tuesday May 1st – Boat of Garten Village Hall 7.30pm;
  • Thursday May 3rd – Ben Mhor Hotel, Grantown-on-Spey 7.30pm;
  • Monday May 7th – Glen Isla Community Hall 7.30pm;
  • Wednesday May 9th – Lonach Hall, Strathdon 7.30pm
  • Friday May 11th – Talla Nan Ros, Kingussie 7.30pm
  • Monday May 14th – Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore 7.30pm
  • Tuesday May 15th – Albert Memorial Hall, Ballater 7.30pm