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Public Access Strategy - Action Area D Northern Corridor

Description

Action Area D comprises a cluster of settlements in the western part of North Lanarkshire.  The area includes the settlements Stepps, Muirhead, Chryston, Moodiesburn and a number of smaller villages.  It also includes the village and former steel works site at Gartcosh.  There is a relatively high concentration of claimed rights of way within the area.  However, there is no coherent network of routes, and the A80 has acted as a barrier to establishing more cohesive links between the settlements.  A number of new housing developments are planned within the area, and North Lanarkshire Council is currently developing a comprehensive regeneration scheme for Gartcosh which aims to incorporate access as a key component. Picture of Action Area D Northern Corridor

Key Issues

A disused railway forms a potentially crucial link across the area, although access to it so far remains partially developed.  North Lanarkshire Council is currently working towards securing funding to support its development, to eventually provide a link between the West Highland Way and Summerlee Heritage Centre in Coatbridge, via Moodiesburn Glen. Funding from SNH and Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire is already in place.

Action Area Vision

Providing better linkages between settlements.  Keying into longer distance routes by formalising specific local routes.  Building access into proposals for land use change.

Priorities

The following priorities have been identified in this area:

  • The council should continue to explore additional sources of funding to support further development of the Railway Walkway.  This might be achieved through considering an alternative approach, which focuses on the health and social inclusion benefits of access provision.  East Dunbartonshire Council could be encouraged to work with North Lanarkshire Council in achieving this, given the importance of the route in providing a cohesive cross border link. See 'Implementation' below.  Scope for enhancing local links to the Glasgow Edinburgh Cycle Route via the Strathkelvin Walkway at Moodiesburn should also be explored in association with Sustrans.
  • Developers in the area should be encouraged to contribute to maintaining and enhancing access provision in the area.  Although many of the proposed development sites are of a relatively small scale, short but important local links can be provided to help develop a more complete network which includes some circular walks.  North Lanarkshire Council should seek to secure planning agreements where possible to achieve this aim.
  • The regeneration plan for the Gartcosh site aims to establish links into the area via public transport, walking and cycling routes, effectively linking local communities with opportunities for employment. In addition, the site offers a wide range of opportunities for access development.  For example, part of the Gartcosh Site is already safeguarded as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), covering grassland including marsh and swamp vegetation.  There is scope for providing access to this part of the site as an integral part of conservation efforts.  Key agencies involved regeneration of the site should be encouraged to participate in the North Lanarkshire Public Access Forum and / or Local Access Groups whilst plans are being developed and implemented.

Implementation

  • Given the emphasis within the area on making links with longer distance routes, Sustrans could be approached with a view to securing resources.
  • Cross border links should be considered in partnership with East Dunbartonshire Council.
  • Particularly in the case of Gartcosh, developers in the area should be encouraged to work with development control planners to explore how planning agreements might be reached to maintain on replace key routes.
  • Private sector assistance could also be sought via Landfill Tax (local operators include Peter D. Stirling Ltd., Drumcavil Road, Gartcosh).
  • Local communities should be encouraged to work in partnership with neighbouring towns, to establish the Coatbridge and Airdrie Local Access Group (see paragraph 4.7).

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