Ten Years of Paths for All - On the Right Track
On 19 September the Paths for All Partnership is 10 years old! The Partnership, which now comprises 20 organisations representing relevant public sector and national representative bodies, was set up to facilitate the development and promotion of path networks.
The extent of positive change which has taken place during this time for people enjoying and managing the outdoors has been significant and very encouraging – partly as a consequence of the Partnership’s activities.
Ten years ago there was a severe shortage of paths that could be used by the public with confidence. Most were not signposted and there was little information on where people could walk, cycle and ride. Physical barriers and deterring signs restricted access, often arising from land managers’ concerns and sometimes due to irresponsible behaviour; and there was generally a very low priority given to access provision.
A decade on and Scotland is well and truly on the right track to being a leader in outdoor access provision. We now have some of the most progressive access legislation in Europe, based on the principles of everyone being responsible for their own actions, respecting the interests of others and caring for the environment.
Outdoor access is now ‘mainstream’ in terms of delivering a wide range of public benefits in particular in relation to health and well-being, sustainable transport, strengthening communities and economic development. One shining example of this is the Partnership’s Paths to Health initiative. This programme aims to improve the nation’s health and well-being by encouraging sedentary people to become more active. One GP has referred to Paths to Health as the “best buy in public health”!
Huge advances have been made in making the outdoors more accessible and welcoming. There are many more paths now accessible to a wider range of people, regardless of their age or ability. Big strides forward have taken place to ensure that paths are ‘fit for purpose’ and satisfy community needs. All 32 local authorities and the 2 national park authorities now have operational Local Access Forums.
Crucially, there are significantly more resources being devoted to creating, promoting and managing path networks. For example, 10 years ago there were only 3 Access Officers in Scotland, now there are 83!
However, the job is not yet complete! The Partnership’s vision is for a Scotland of active communities where each community has access to well-used path networks to satisfy their needs and aspirations. The Partnership is proud of its 10 year contribution to the progress that has been made in fulfilling this vision, and recognises that further hard work is required to consolidate and build on this growth. Paths for All Partnership eagerly anticipates the challenges of the next 10 years!
ENDS
Notes for Editor
The Paths for All Partnership was established on 19 September 1996 as a Company Limited by Guarantee with Charitable Status.
The Partnership’s long-term Vision is a Scotland of active communities where each community has a network of paths and other routes which people want, and are able, to use for recreation, everyday journeys and physical activity. This will deliver environment, health, community, transport and economic benefits for Scotland.
Its 3 year Mission is to show leadership, encourage innovation and promote best practice in terms of facilitating the creation of well designed, managed and promoted networks of paths and other routes on land and water for everyone, and to increase participation in walking for health by inactive people throughout Scotland
The Partnership currently has 20 Partner organisations representing relevant public sector and national representative bodies; and a staff complement of 16 Full Time Equivalents. The Partners are:
- British Horse Society
- Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
- Cycling Scotland
- Cyclists’ Touring Club
- Forestry Commission Scotland
- Highlands and Islands Enterprise
- NFU Scotland
- NHS Health Scotland
- Ramblers’ Association Scotland
- Scottish Canoe Association
- Scottish Countryside Access Network
- Scottish Disability Equality Forum
- Scottish Enterprise
- Scottish Natural Heritage
- Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society
- Scottish Rural Property and Business Association
- Scottish TV and Grampian TV
- sportscotland
- Sustrans ScotlandVisitScotland
The Partnership is funded by the Scottish Executive Health Department, Scottish Natural Heritage, Big Lottery, British Heart foundation, NHS Health Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Centre for Healthy Working Lives.
The Partnership’s website address is: www.pathsforall.org.uk
September 2006
