| How were the Core Paths chosen? |
 |
For a number of years, East Lothian Council has been working with local
communities and landowners to develop community path networks around many
towns and villages in East Lothian. We see the Core Paths Planning process
as a continuation and extension of this process. |
Over
the last few years we have been out and about around East Lothian asking
people of
all ages and abilities where they walk, cycle, horse ride
and take part in other recreational activities. We’ve also been
asking landowners and land managers for their views on managing access
on their
land. From these public consultations a lot of information has been gathered
about which paths and routes are the most popular in an area, where people
would like to be able to walk, cycle or horse-ride in future, as well
as comments and suggestions for improving paths. |
34 separate community consultations were held in East Lothian, each centred
around a town or village. People were given the opportunity to comment
on access throughout East Lothian as well as their local area. In total
we received information from more than 2,500 people. |
A set of Key Criteria was developed to help us to select potential Core
Paths for East Lothian. These can be downloaded from the menu on the right
hand side. |
We used all the information we gathered in the public consultations,
plus the Key Criteria and our knowledge of the path networks in East Lothian,
to develop a map of potential Core Paths for East Lothian. When considering
which routes to include in the Plan, we tried to balance the public demand
with the interests of the land managers. The sufficiency of network to
provide reasonable access for locals and visitors to the area was also
considered. The map of potential Core Paths was compiled by the Outdoor
Access Officers, Countryside Rangers and Countryside Managers of East Lothian
Council, in consultation with East Lothian Local Access Forum. |
The
first draft Plan of potential Core Paths for East Lothian was available
for consultation
between January and June 2007. A booklet of maps was sent
to landowners, user groups, community groups and anyone who requested
it. The maps were also available to view on East Lothian Council’s
website and in all local libraries. Ten public consultations were held
and the
map and events were advertised in many papers, magazines and by posters. |
Comments were received from 333 people during this second round of consultations.
We have subsequently met with a number of landowners and individuals to
discuss specific issues and made some amendments to the Draft Plan. We
have also consulted with many public bodies, Council departments and the
Local Access Forum during this period. |
On the maps available to view, the paths we have identified as potential
Core Paths are shown in purple and red. They have all been numbered to
identify individual paths. |
