WARNING - By their nature, text files cannot include scanned images 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 pdf version of this document. FRONT PAGE Paths for the Park Image: two footprints of boots Cairngorms National Park Core Paths Plan Newsletter Issue 2 -April 2008 Images: outline images of walker with stick; horse and rider; wheelchair user; walker and dog; bicycle; canoeist Welcome to the second issue of ‘Paths for the Park’, a newsletter to keep you up to date with core paths planning in the Cairngorms National Park. We are launching the Draft Core Paths Plan for a final consultation so please read on to find out more, including where to view the Plan and how to comment on it. You will also find some other outdoor access news on the back page. Draft Core Paths Plan – Final Consultation Developing a Core Paths Plan for the Park has been a long process but finally there is an end in sight! Many of you have been involved right from the start and we would like to thank you for all of your input so far. We are looking forward to getting the Plan adopted so that we can all get to work on delivering and improving the paths on the ground. We have been working hard over the winter to analyse all of the results from the last consultation and to revise the Core Paths Plan. Before we can adopt it, however, we need to ensure that the network is sufficient to give reasonable access throughout the area. To do this we have now published the Draft Core Paths Plan for a final formal public consultation which will run for 3 months until 30 June 2008. This consultation will allow us to identify and try to resolve any final issues. You can view the Draft Core Paths Plan in a number of different locations and on our website (please see the back page for further details). To help guide your response we have produced a comment form for supporting or objecting to the Draft Core Paths Plan. You can find this form inside the front cover of the Plan or contact us for further copies. Alternatively you can download it from our website where you can also complete it online. Please note that we cannot accept any responses without a name and address and all responses will be made available to the public. We won’t be holding any public meetings this time but if you would like to discuss any issues please contact us for a chat or we can come and see you. Image: colour photo of woodland walk Environmental Effects The potential environmental effects of the Draft Core Paths Plan have been assessed. The assessment can be viewed in the Environmental Report which accompanies the Plan for consultation. (Please see the back page for details of where you can view the Report). Contact us Email: corepathsplan@cairngorms.co.uk Telephone: 01479 873535 Or write to: Cairngorms National Park Authority, 14 The Square, Grantown-on-Spey, Morayshire, PH26 3HG Please read on to find out more… Paths for the Park Image: Cairngorms National Park Authority logo BACK PAGE Continued…. Cairngorms National Park Core Paths Plan Newsletter Issue 2 – April 2008 Image: Flowchart Core Paths Planning Process Public Engagement (Sep-Nov ’06) Which paths are important to you and why? CNPA analysed comments and drew up Interim Draft Core Paths Plan Public Consultation on Interim Draft Core Paths Plan (Apr-Jun ’07) Have we selected the right paths? CNPA analysed comments and drew up Draft Core Paths Plan Public Consultation on Draft Core Paths Plan (Apr Jun ’08) Is the core paths network sufficient to give reasonable access throughout the area? Resolve any objections to the Draft Core Paths Plan (Jul-Sep ’08) Yes Adopt Core Paths Plan (estimate -Oct ’08) No Public Local Inquiry (estimate -Oct ’08) Glenmore Off-Road Route -The missing section of an off-road route which will link Aviemore and Glenmore is now under construction. The route will be completed by early summer. News! Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust (COAT) - A new Trust is being set up to help fund and deliver access projects across the Park. The trust is being developed out of the very successful Upper Deeside Access Trust and will be in place by 1st April 2008. Local Outdoor Access Forum – New Members Needed! Do you have a good knowledge of, and interest in, outdoor access from a recreational, land management or community perspective? We are keen to hear from volunteers who can make a positive contribution to outdoor access in the Cairngorms National Park. The Forum has been in operation for 3 years and meets approximately five times a year at various venues throughout the Park. Contact us to find out more about the work of the Forum or check out our website: www.cairngorms.co.uk/access/LOAF For more information and an application form, please call 01479 873535 or email us at outdooraccess@cairngorms.co.uk . The closing date for applications is Friday 9 May 2008. Where I can view the Draft Core Paths Plan? You can view the Draft Core Paths Plan and accompanying Environmental Report at the Cairngorms National Park Authority Offices in Ballater (Station Square) and Grantownon- Spey (14 The Square), at any of the locations listed below and on our website: Moray Tomintoul – Library Mobile Library Angus Kirriemuir - Library Mobile Library Highland Aviemore – Library Boat-of-Garten – Post-Office Carr-Bridge – Post Office Dulnain Bridge – Post Office Grantown-on-Spey – Library Kincraig – Post Office Kingussie – Library Laggan – Resource Centre Nethy Bridge – Post Office Newtonmore – Post Office Mobile Library Aberdeenshire Aboyne – Library Bellabeg – Post Office Braemar – Tourist Information Centre Mobile Library Image: front cover of Core Paths Plan Draft www.cairngorms.co.uk/access/corepaths If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised here please contact us, see the front page of this newsletter for details.