Public Access Strategy - Costs & Resources Building Support

Securing adequate revenue funding is likely to remain a critical issue.  In the medium term, it is hoped that new funding arrangements following enactment of the proposed legislation will ease this situation, particularly in relation to the core path network.  Even then, it is unlikely that the revenue funding shortfall will be addressed fully.

In general terms, a key obstacle to change is limited vision; the perception that access initiatives are relevant only in terms of recreation and tourism. Path networks must be seen as part of a much broader agenda, including policies on sustainable transport, renewable energy sources and health and social inclusion.  This Strategy represents a major step towards this in North Lanarkshire.  It recognises that access initiatives, in particular the provision of safe routes to school/work places/public transport nodes, are central to the creation of a sustainable transport system, and can help meet the required reduction in use of fossil fuels.  Access initiatives can also combat social exclusion.

Small increases in budget provision would pay great dividends.  It is evident that the cost of building and maintaining 1 km of footpath is miniscule compared to the cost of building and maintaining1 km of motorway.  In addition, if path networks were accorded the same status as the road network, there would be an acceptance of the fact that path networks require professional expertise, construction and maintenance.

The resource audit highlighted the range of additional sources of support, which are potentially available from external funders.  As a result of the new legislation, it is likely that the Scottish Executive (partly through Scottish Natural Heritage) will be allocating additional resources to ensure local authorities can fulfil their new duties and responsibilities.  Whilst the extent of these additional resources is not currently known, it can be anticipated that funds will support additional staffing as well as meeting further budgetary demands.

Benefits	Costs *
social inclusion stronger communities better health sustainable transport network accessible employment more investment more visitors sustainable land management	less than £5 per head of population network establishment costs around £1 per head of population per annum maintenance costs additional staff

* NB costs based on indicative calculations as defined above, for the purposes of general guidance only.

Support for access is likely to be forthcoming where potential benefits can be clearly justified.  An imaginative approach is required which focuses on the wider role of access within sustainable communities.  As the illustration above highlights, although many of the benefits of public access are difficult to quantify, they are likely to significantly outweigh the investment which the local network will require. In particular:

• Demonstration of economic benefits such as an increase in tourism and recreation, access to employment, and access contributing to inward investment, would be helpful in accessing support from agencies such as Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire, or from programmes like the EU Structural Funds.
• Potential environmental benefits, such as reductions in emissions from fossil fuels, links with regeneration schemes, improved land management through a more active approach could provide an incentive for funding programmes run by environmental agencies.
• Perhaps most significantly, social benefits, including improving community health, and building social connections link to the current national agenda on social inclusion.  Where such benefits are most likely to emerge as a result of access, agencies like Lanarkshire Health Board and North Lanarkshire's three Social Inclusion Partnerships should be expected to play a role in implementing the strategy.

Back to Contents Forward to Next Section