Public Strategy Access - Costs & Resources - Budget Costs & Relevant Considerations

The estimated budget costs for implementing the strategy have been developed on the basis of costing methods developed by Land Use Consultants on behalf of Scottish Natural Heritage.  Further information on these method are provided in the forthcoming Local Authority Pilot Project, Topic Area Report 9, 'Costed Proposals.'

In order to estimate a budget cost for the development of path networks, the full range of associated work required through the stages of strategic level planning, local level planning, establishing and managing networks must be taken into account.  The costs can be split into the following categories:

• Planning the Network:  costs relating to staff time for land manager and community consultation, leading to agreeing core path networks, mapping the network, gathering supporting information, internal reporting and all other planning work;
• Establishing the Network:  capital costs of survey work, design work, new construction work, upgrading work, signage and installation of associated structures, such as bridges and fences;
• Managing and Maintaining Access:  including annual monitoring and maintenance of the paths together with local authority staff time, local access forum administration and support and management costs associated with ranger services, ongoing land management and community liaison.

In estimating the budget cost for planning, establishment, management and maintenance of a path network, it is important to take into account the full range of relevant variables.  These include:

• New or existing routes:  the proportion of the network comprising existing routes to be maintained or upgraded, compared to the need for new links.  Whilst existing routes and quiet roads are likely to form the basis of the network, the provision of additional local links has been identified as high or medium priority within some of the Action Areas.
• Type of user:  the proportion of the network, in km, assigned to each user group: walkers, disabled users, cyclists and horse riders.  The type of use will determine the construction, monitoring and maintenance specification required.
• Length of network suitable for different types of user.

Staff time is a further cost which should be taken into account.  Whilst the access officers are central to the process, it is important to also take into account the time commitments of a much broader range of staff.  The following personnel have a role to play in the development of path networks: