Council seeks views on Sutherland path network plan

A Sutherland-wide consultation exercise starts this week on the development of a path network for the County under the new Land Reform Duties.

The Highland Council’s Planning and Development Service is carrying out the consultation exercise on a core path network.

Highland Council’s Access Officer, Matt Dent says:  “The Core Path Plan aims to identify a basic network of routes, predominately close to settlements or tourist features.  Some of these routes may already be well signposted, but we want to ensure that no settlement will be left without a basic network to allow the public reasonable access  through out their area.

“The resultant core path network will be more than just about footpaths and the system developed will cater for all types of users - walkers, cyclists, horse riders, canoeists and people with disabilities. We really need to get the views of the community to help us in this exercise.”

The consultation is aimed at gathering basic information about routes which people, both locals and tourists, use on a regular basis or those with particular local importance. Public exhibitions are planned for August/September and initial feedback is welcome up to the end of September 2006.

A wide range of users will be considered as local networks have historically not considered the needs of paddlers, riders or cyclists.

Question sheets and comments forms are available at Highland Council Service Points and libraries throughout Sutherland, by calling Matt Dent at Lairg Service Point on 01549 402729 or downloading from the Highland Council website.

For further information or a photograph opportunity please contact: Matt Dent, Access Officer, The Highland Council, Planning and Development Service, Service Point, New Buildings, Main Street, Lairg tel:

Notes to editor

1. The “Core Path Plan” is a new duty of the local authority under the terms of Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 which came into force in early 2005.
2. The full web address for the question sheet is: /leisure/countryside/countrysideaccess/corepathplans.htm.