Public Access Strategy - Implementation Framework Monitoring and Review

It is essential that the development of countryside access in North Lanarkshire is subject to ongoing monitoring and review processes.  This can ensure that problems are identified and rectified, and provides scope for subsequent amendment of the strategy as it progresses.

GIS mapping for the supply audit provided a useful means of gaining an overview of the supply of paths within North Lanarkshire.  It is important that as the strategy is developed, it continues to be informed by accurate and up to date information.  Building on the data already collected and analysed for this study, a GIS database of claimed rights of way, permissive routes and access areas should be maintained as an accurate record of the extent of the existing network.  The maps which the system produces can be used not only to inform management and monitoring, but also for publicity materials and in providing information for other agencies. Local members of the Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society, as well as the wider local access forum, could be directly involved in keeping these records up to date.  North Lanarkshire Council should be responsible for maintaining the mapping database.

In anticipation of duties defined under the terms of the proposed legislation, SNH is currently exploring technical issues relating to a national baseline inventory of paths, which could be made available to local authorities.  Issues of scale and presentation have yet to be resolved, but a watching brief should be maintained.  There may also be scope to tie GIS based monitoring more closely to decision-making, through the use of Countryside Access Management Software (CAMS), which is already in place in some other local authorities.  Further guidance on this is likely to be forthcoming from national agencies, as the proposed new legislation is implemented.

Monitoring should record the condition of the path network in order that management resources can be prioritised or existing management regimes or agreements modified to address the problems.  The Action Area priorities may assist in targeting management effort.  Countryside Rangers are likely to play an important role in ongoing monitoring of the network.  The process undertaken should record:

• levels of use;
• path condition;
• ancillary structures;
• condition;
• maintenance.

The strategy emphasises the importance of developing community involvement in access provision.  Monitoring could prove an effective way of motivating local people and path users.  The North Lanarkshire Public Access Forum and Local Access Groups should play a role in involving local communities, user groups and / or schools, encouraging them to report on the above aspects of path condition.  It may be helpful to prepare a pro-forma recording sheet to guide the scope of people's comments. North Lanarkshire Council's website could also be used for reporting, or a dedicated phone-line could be set up.  This process of community based monitoring has numerous benefits apart from the information which can be gained, community interest and feelings of ownership can be developed, and greater use of paths can be generated (in turn helping to discourage their misuse).

The audit highlighted the lack of information on the use of paths.  It is important that better information on use is developed, so that the strategy can respond to specific needs through, for example, diverting users away from paths which are over used, or justifying funding applications through demonstrating the importance of a specific route.  Monitoring of use is particularly important for developing access which caters for the needs of visitors to the area, this in turn having economic implications.  The extended use of people counters should be considered as a means of gaining a clearer view of path use.  Scope for gathering more qualitative data from path users, through surveys or leaving comment sheets on site for example, should also be considered.

Information on the extent, condition, use and development of the path network in North Lanarkshire should also be used to measure the extent to which the Access Strategy has fulfilled its aims and objectives.  This may be most effectively undertaken at the level of Action Areas.  The access officers should prepare an annual report, which sets out which aspects of the strategy have been fulfilled, and which require revision or further efforts. The strategy itself should be reviewed every five years.

When monitoring and review indicates divergence between the agreed Access Strategy and action on the ground, two courses of action may be appropriate: