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: Cairngorms National Park logo Cairngorms National Park Core Paths Plan Newsletter Issue 3 -May 2009 Images: symbols for walkers, horseriders, wheelchair users, walkers with dogs, bicycles, canoeists Welcome to the third issue of ‘Paths for the Park’, a newsletter to keep you up to date with the development of path networks in the Cairngorms National Park. The big news is that the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) has submitted the Core Paths Plan to Ministers and the Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust (COAT) is already working hard to improve paths throughout the Park. Core Paths Plan Submitted to Scottish Ministers The CNPA would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who got involved in developing the first ever Core Paths Plan for the Cairngorms National Park. The Plan has now been sent to Scottish Ministers. During the consultation on the Plan a number of objections were raised. Some people wanted to see more paths included in the Plan whilst others wanted some to be removed. Where appropriate we have made changes to the Plan to try and resolve these objections. Unfortunately we were unable to resolve all of them and as such a Local Inquiry will take place to address these objections. Image: Horseriders on forest pathway A total of 23 objectors sustained their objections to the Draft Core Paths Plan. A number of the objections relate to the proposal to designate the River Spey as a core path. Others raised concern over the proposal to designate paths in remote and upland areas as core paths. There are also a number of other objections relating to specific paths. A list of the objections is shown on the CNPA website at www.cairngorms.co.uk/outdooraccess/corepathsplanning . It is likely that the Local Inquiry will be carried out using written statements rather than a formal hearings process. A Reporter will conduct the Inquiry and will decide what form it will take and when it will be carried out. We expect to hear from them in the next few weeks. For more information on how the Local Inquiry process will work please see the back of this newsletter. 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… Image: Cairngorms National Park Authority logo BACK PAGE Continued…. Cairngorms National Park Core Paths Plan Newsletter Issue 3 – May 2009 Image: Front cover of CNPA Core Paths Plan Draft Core Paths Plan Local Inquiry – how does it work? The CNPA submitted the Core Paths Plan to Scottish Ministers in March along with copies of outstanding objections and a written statement on each objection explaining why the CNPA could not resolve it. Scottish Ministers have now passed these documents to the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals. The Reporter will contact each of the objectors to provide them with the opportunity to respond to the CNPA’s statement on their objection. The Reporter may decide that a site visit is necessary or even a hearing of the evidence. For more information on how the Local Inquiry will be conducted please see the Scottish Government w website. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/160308/0043627.pdf A Good Sign There are lots of different types of path signs in the National Park. Some of them are really good and some of them not so good. The CNPA has been working with the Local Outdoor Access Forum and others to identify what makes for good directional path signage. The most important advice that we received was that having a consistent good quality style of sign that is easy to read would really help users to find their way around and give more people the confidence to get out and enjoy the paths. The CNPA has produced path signage guidance and the new designs are already being installed in a number of locations. The signs are made of green painted timber with white lettering. The signs show the destination of the path, the path name and the distance in miles. Image: Photograph of the new timber signs This design is recommended for new and replacement signs low level path networks across the National Park. If you would like to know more about this project then please get in touch (see the front of this newsletter for contact details). A similar project looking at the design of community path leaflets is also underway. Building bridges The old Gynack Bridge in Kingussie has been out of action for nearly four years leaving a vital missing link in the local path network. The Kingussie Community Development Company and the Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust have been working together to install a replacement bridge which will be opened by Roseanna Cunningham, Minister for the Environment, on Tuesday 5th May. Image: Front cover of upper Deeside Access Trust 'Short Walks & Cycle Routes around Ballater' leaflet. If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised here please contact us, see the front page of this newsletter for details.