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Public Access Strategy - Action Area G Clyde Valley

Description

The Clyde Valley forms an important environmental and recreational resource. The area includes a cluster of paths and tracks.  Some of these are claimed rights of way while others are farm or estate tracks.  A number of the paths are managed for access as a result of the Motherwell Green Links Programme.  The Clyde Walkway also crosses through the area along the riverside, and extends into Strathclyde country Park at its northern end.  Good local links from this route into Wishaw and Motherwell have already been established. Picture of Action Area G Clyde Valley

The valley is an Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV), contains a number of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and is partly a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).  The area includes the Baron's Haugh RSPB nature reserve where access has already been established.  A number of community and 'Walkers Welcome' woodland areas are also located within the area (e.g. Cabusnethan Woods), and the grounds of Dalzell House are a further environmental component.

Key Issues

The area's importance in recreational terms should be considered a key priority, as it provides an important resources for nearby urban communities.  The need to balance tourism and recreation with nature conservation and interpretation through access management is also critical.

Action Area Vision

Continued management of the area as an important environmental and recreational resource.  Making use of the area to meet the needs of its neighbouring communities.

Priorities

The following priorities have been identified in this area:

  • Continuing maintenance and promotion of the Clyde Walkway and its local connections.  This promotion should link with health initiatives in the adjacent area (Action Area H) with the aim of ensuring that the area meets its potential to encourage local people to exercise outdoors more often.  Improved signage, particularly on routes linking the area into Wishaw, could help to achieve this.
  • Access management should at all times take into account the importance of the area for nature conservation.  Promotion of access within the area should continue to be combined with interpretation and environmental education initiatives, to ensure that access is undertaken in a responsible way.  This, in turn, could be used to add interest to the walks.
  • The network of woodland areas should continue to form an important component of access in the area.
  • Development of cross-boundary links, between North and South Lanarkshire, should also be viewed as a priority within this area, probably through further development on longer distance routes.

Implementation
  • Lanarkshire Health Board should be approached with a view to securing support for health based initiatives which link the area with its neighbouring communities.
  • Organisations, including the Lanarkshire Environmental Education Forum already work with schools, colleges and community groups, to link access with environmental education.  They should be encouraged to continue to do this, potentially with the support of additional funding which might be secured through retargeting initiatives to focus primarily on socially excluded groups.
  • The Clyde Valley Woodlands Initiative already provides woodland talks and walks in the area.  Again, scope for linking these activities with the social inclusion and / or health agenda may be an effective way of releasing further resources for promoting and managing the area.
  • The South Lanarkshire River Valleys Project could be approached with a view to developing cross border links.

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