Public Access Strategy - Costs & Resources Further Information Required

Further information is required on a range of topics, to allow more accurate costings to be assembled in the future.  In terms of maintenance, further research is needed in order to make accurate predictions of general maintenance costs.  In particular, research is required to determine the levels of maintenance and the necessary frequency of specific tasks in particular, to maintain the network.

Further research is also required to determine the staff time and tasks required in order to maintain the functionality of the network.  For example, in areas where antisocial behaviour is a particular problem, frequent patrol(s) by Rangers and/or the Police may be required to improve perceptions of safety on the part of potential users.  Without this surveillance, vulnerable groups could be discouraged from using a route; representing a failure of the aim to provide access for all.  It is essential that there is provision in the budget for these less tangible items.

As shown from the table of potential labour providers, staff input is required from a range of professions.  In the case of staff whose sole responsibility is dealing with the path network, i.e. access officers and Rangers dedicated to specific routes, their salary costs can be easily identified and attributed to the job.  It is also possible to obtain accurate costs from staff working in the commercial sector, who charge by time or use a fixed fee system, i.e. surveyors, engineers.  However, it is more problematic to estimate the costs of time for staff employed by Local Authorities who spend only part of their time on access planning and management, and staff working in the areas of surveillance and promotion, as they often have a broad remit.

Finally, the choice of labour has an impact on costs.  Whilst the involvement of training teams, volunteers and community groups has many benefits on social and health grounds, it must be recognised that professional staff input will be required in all stages of the development process.  The involvement of volunteers is unlikely to result in a reduction in costs of developing the network and reduce the cost of monitoring and minor maintenance.  However, the costs of staff involved in co-ordinating and supervising such work can be considerable, but at the same time, very difficult to define.