1. Paths and the Community
Aberdeenshire Council – Roles, Responsibilities and Community Support

2. Access Authorities - Paths and Outdoor Access
Access Authorities have legal responsibilities through:
Land Reform (Scotland) Act (LRSA) 2003
Upholding access rights
Preparing a Core Path Plan (Aberdeenshire’s adopted in 2013)
Publicising and promoting the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC)
Dealing with Section 11 Exemption Orders
To establish a Local Outdoor Access Forum
Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967
Protection of Rights of Way
Access provision is also delivered through a number of other policies and strategies delivered by local authorities including Active Travel, Open Space and Recreation and Sport

3. Council Services involved in access provision
Planning and Building Standards(P&BS) (Environment Team and Rangers) lead on the delivery of the LRSA and ROW duties and path management and development for recreational purposes.
Landscape Services undertake maintenance of paths and manage the Council’s open space and Country Parks
Transportation Strategy Team lead on the delivery of active travel (cycling, walking and safer streets)
Structures Section (Bridges) support P&BS to manage the network of non-motorised bridges including the F&B Way and various suspension bridges over the River Dee
ALL are part of the Infrastructure Services Directorate

4. Staff Resources - Key Areas of Work
Environment Team/Ranger Services
2 part time Outdoor Access Officers covering the whole of Aberdeenshire responsible for LRSA duties.
3 Environment Planners who as part of their role are involved in the long distance routes (Deeside Way, Formartine and Buchan Way, Gordon Way and Coastal Path) and other access management/development projects.
6 Rangers (one per Area) involved with schools, promoting SOAC and running events. Looking to develop volunteering.
Other sections of the Service are involved with access development

5. Also Equestrian use

6. Aberdeenshire Path Network
The Aberdeenshire Path Network consists of:
Long distance routes (Deeside Way, Formartine and Buchan Way, Gordon Way and Coastal Path (North Aberdeenshire)
Strategic Links – e.g. Aboyne to Tarland (COAT)
Core Paths (including those above)
Wider Path Network
Adopted pavements and footways
Cycle routes (including the National Cycle Network Route 1)
The LRSA also provides access rights over most land and water so long as it is taken responsibly.

7. Aberdeenshire Council Path Management/Development Priorities
The Council has just completed a Path Management and Maintenance Review. This Review has focused future Council staff and financial recourses on the paths, bridges and associated infrastructure (picnic sites and car parks) that the Council owns or has agreements to manage.
Future focus will be on
Deeside Way and Formartine and Buchan Way.
Key sections of the Coast Path linking communities.
Key strategic links e.g. Inverurie to Oldmeldrum.
Upgrading and maintain the Council’s Path assets.
Supporting community led paths initiatives

8. Aberdeenshire Council – Groups Supported
Banchory Paths Association
Bennachie Community Council
Greener Kemnay
GRAPE Rothienorman
Meldrum Paths Group
Oyne Community Association
Tarland Development Group
Udny Paths Group

9. Support for Community Path Development
The Planning and Building Standards Section through its Access Staff and Rangers can offer the following support to community groups wanting to develop local paths.
Funding to cover public liability insurance – key to ensure that groups are protected when undertaking works and ongoing responsibilities.
Advice and guidance on how to go about identifying and developing a path project. COAT are also able to assist Groups through COAT consultancy.
Limited funds for purchase of hand tools and where paths are linked to Council assets.
Guidance and support in seeking funding for path projects.

10. Local Paths Groups – Your Responsibilities
You need to be a constituted group or associated to a constituted group to ensure you have Public Liability Insurance
You need to identify and get agreement from relevant land owners (including the Council) to develop promoted paths – the right of responsible access does not extend to promoting or developing paths.
You need to consider how you are going to maintain the path once it has been constructed. The Council will be unlikely to take on this responsibility.
You need to have an inspection and monitoring programme in place to ensure that you are covered from the potential of any liability claims.

11. Council Funding Opportunities
Area Top Up Grants
P&BS Access budget
Cycling, walking and safer streets (paths delivered by Council)
Community Links Funding (Sustrans) but needs to be Council led.

12. Information and Advice
Scottish Natural Heritage
Scottish Outdoor Access Code
SCOTWAYS
Useful web site for information
on access
Obviously – Paths for All

13. Thanks for listening
Linda Mathieson
Marsaili Aspinall
James Davidson