Public Access Strategy - Review & Analysis Relating Demand For Public Access To Population Location & Characteristics

 Population And Geography

North Lanarkshire has a relatively complex geography, with a number of urban settlements pocketed within a rural landscape, rather than a clear rural/ urban divide.  Any access strategy needs first to take account of the relationship between the location of current or potential route provision and the concentration of population.

Figure A.3 shows the distribution of the population in North Lanarkshire using a dot density map.  Each census output area (census based units of about 100 people) is filled with dots - one dot for every 50 people.  The map effectively shows the concentration of population into settlements, and its relative absence in the rural areas.  Traditional 'countryside access' has placed paths across the countryside.

Figure A4

These paths are a delightful resource for anyone with transportation to reach them, but relatively inaccessible to the bulk of the population (especially those in poor social and economic circumstances who are unlikely to own a car, and are reliant on public transport if they can afford it). Figure A.4 compares the spatial distribution of population with existing paths in the area.

Figure A5 presents a model of the liekly distribution of socially excluded population in North Lanarkshire.  This model was compiled using a composite of indicators drawn from the census and from contemporary unitary authority data to show the areas of social exclusion across North Lanarkshire.  Where area populations exhibit the most extreme forms of (social and economic) deprivation, the probability of some residents being 'socially excluded' is marked as being highest.

 

The geography of social exclusion in North Lanarkshire is relatively complex.  Much of the excluded population is concentrated in the urban areas, but tends to be fragmented into isolated pockets.  Any public access strategy must recognise that the worst socio-economic conditions and the expected poor health associated with those, are not found grouped together in large areas, and may indeed lie next to more affluent and well resourced areas.

The application of broad planning 'zones' (in which an area is covered by one particular policy given that the general nature of its population characteristics) is unlikely to be an efficient way of directing access strategy policy.  The map indicates that a neighbourhood by neighbourhood approach might be more effective.  This broadly reflects the approach of the North Lanarkshire Social Inclusion Partnership designation, where socially similar but spatially dispersed areas have been identified for action.

Figure A.6 shows a model of the amount of time which we might expect the resident population of each census output area to spend walking in a week.  It is a crude model of demand (realised and latent) for access routes and is based on the social, economic and demographic characteristics of the resident population.  The model is constructed using British survey data, which allow us to establish a relationship between sets of individual characteristics (such as age, sex and social class) and propensity to walk.

Like Figure A.5 this is a complex picture and one which suggests a broad zone based strategy is unlikely to be efficient or successful.  The model certainly suggests that those in the urban areas in North Lanarkshire may have lower levels of walking activity than those in the more rural areas. We also know from Figure A.5 that this is the population in greatest need of easy access to recreational and exercise opportunities.

It seems clear where the greatest need for appropriate access routes is concentrated.  However, providing appropriate routes in appropriate places is more complex than just building paths where people need to walk more.  The routes must appear to be safe, accessible, and "owned" by the community themselves if they are to be utilised properly.  Only through working with neighbourhoods and community groups is this likely to be achieved - it is essential to draw on the unique knowledge only available "on the ground", in a case-by-case manner.  A successful strategy for increasing the use and utility of public access routes must recognise that they should not just be there for pleasure but might present opportunities for commuting, safe routes to school, education, and as resources for community-based activities such as kids clubs.

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