WARNING: By their nature, text files cannot include scanned iamges and tables. The process of converting documents to text only, can cause formatting changes and misinterpretation of the contents can sometimes result. Wherever possible you should refer to the original PDF version of this document. CAIRNGORMS LOCAL OUTDOOR ACCESS FORUM Title: Outdoor Access Casework Prepared by: Fran Pothecary, Outdoor Access Officer Purpose: To update the Forum on casework concerning upholding access rights and outdoor access casework Advice Sought: No specific advice is sought by the Park Authority but Forum members are invited make points as they see fit. Action Points from last meeting As agreed at the last meeting, a column has been added to the spreadsheet which indicates the date of the last correspondence with the complainant. In addition the casework protocol has been updated to include the following statement: “Complainants will be updated every six months or at significant points of resolution and notified when a case is closed” LIVE CASES Case 2 Ballater – a case is being made to see if the turnstile gates on the Cambus o’ May bridge could be removed or made more accessible now that the route is part of a Core Path. Contact has been made with Aberdeenshire Council as the bridge is a historic structure. ON-GOING Case 5 Boat of Garten NEW – report of 7 locked gates in a forestry area following felling. Site visit pending. ON-GOING Case 6 Carrbridge; Case 9 Dalwhinnie; Case 22 Kincraig; Case 24 Kingussie; Case 25 Kingussie and Case 27 Laggan – all these cases have been raised in respect of horse access within the National Park, and concern blockages to access by way of locked impassable gates. Meeting held with complainant on 28th July – report back at meeting. ONGOING Case 7 Carrbridge NEW – report of locked gate and sign at entrance to quarry track. Site visit pending. ON-GOING Case 8 Cromdale – a recent report has been received from a member of the public regarding poor signage about shooting on a right of way. Letter sent to Estate in July 2010 – no response to date. ON-GOING Case 10 Dalwhinnie NEW – complaint from land manager about people accessing a popular Munro leaving gates open allowing animals onto the A9. Trunk roads authority involved. ON-GOING Case 15 Donside NEW – new fence crosses old track up to popular viewing point. Way round possible but no longer tracked. Site visit pending. ON-GOING Case 20 Kincraig – the Community Council are concerned about a perceived build up of human waste at the church car park/Spey launch point which is also on the proposed Speyside Way extension. Monitoring by Countryside Ranger and access staff in place. ONGOING Case 29 Newtonmore NEW – a newly locked gate up to a local historical monument has been reported by a regular group user. Site visit pending. ON-GOING CLOSED CASES Case 35 Aviemore NEW – a member of public raised query about easy access gates for horse-riders All gates unlocked at present. CNPA met with Estate and discussed potential for further infrastructure but no immediate plans for change. Info fed back to complainant. CLOSED Case 36 Aviemore – report of locked gate on B970 below Ord Ban hill. Site visit revealed that the locked gate is on a track leading to and through a deer farm. An alternative route is signed round but peters out eventually. Contact made with Estate who have agreed to review signage and diversion in autumn. Info feedback to complainant. CLOSED Case 37 Ballater - a member of the public raised a concern about the lack of safe crossing signs at a road crossing point on the Deeside way. Aberdeenshire Council have agreed to signage but not rumble strips. CLOSED Case 39 Ballater – member of staff had complained about refusal from an Estate to allow a DoE group to camp. Advice on dealing with such cases fed back though DoE Expedition panel. Original complainant unable to be traced. CLOSED Case 40 Ballater – the SCA received notification of an access issue on the River Muick near Ballater. It concerned an electric fence over the river which poses a hazard at high water (which is also the point of time this river is paddled). Estate has been advised to address safety issue. Complainant has been informed. CLOSED Case 41 Braemar – long standing matter of irresponsible camping. Estate granted resources to help monitor and address issue, and efforts being made to secure alternatives locally. CLOSED Case 42 Boat of Garten NEW – complainant reported a non-Code compliant sign then contacted back a few days later to say it had gone following a query he raised with neighbouring land owner! CLOSED Case 43 Dalwhinnie – a very old complaint (2004) about a locked hill gate, which never attracted more than one comment despite being on a popular hill track. Letter sent to complainant explaining closure process and possibility for reviving issue if more complaints received. CLOSED Case 47 Grantown – local horse-riders raised the issue about inadequate access direct onto the Old Railway Line, which resulted in them being forced onto a busy ‘A’ road. Improved gaps and signage installed. CLOSED Case 48 Grantown – this concerns a complaint from a member of the public about out of control dogs in community woodland. Local dog walkers have been engaged in an effort to promote responsible dog walking in the woods, as part of the Responsible Dog ownership campaign. CLOSED Case 49 Grantown NEW – a local resident complained about a blockage to the railway line. The matter concerned a ‘change of use’ of garden curtilage and was referred to the local authority. CLOSED Case 50 Grantown NEW – two parties approached the CNPA regarding interpretation of the legislation and Code over access to water. An onsite meeting was held with the land manager and letters of clarification sent to both parties. CLOSED Case 51 Kincraig NEW – the countryside ranger raised an issue of fire management at a popular picnic site on Council owned land. Appropriate signage was procured. CLOSED Case 52 Kincraig NEW – a walker raised an issue of a shooting sign on a local estate. Although the signage is not perfect, it nevertheless gives a contact number and does not contravene the Code. CLOSED Case 53 Kincraig - a very old complaint (2004) about a locked hill gate, which never attracted more than one comment despite being on a popular hill track. Letter sent to complainant explaining closure process and possibility for reviving issue if more complaints received. CLOSED Case 54 Kingussie NEW – land manager raised a concern that wild camping was damaging orchid meadow in the spring. Instant sign maker sign was created and put up by land manager. CLOSED Cases 55-57 Laggan – all three cases were very old complainants (2006) each of which had been instigated by three separate individuals. Site visits revealed either alternatives or lack of demand. All complainants were advised of closure and possibility for reviving case(s) should other complainants come forward. CLOSED Fran Pothecary Outdoor Access Officer 4 August 2010