Core paths on the agenda - your access rights and responsibilities

“Core paths” can be rights of way, signposted paths, cycle-ways, pavements on roads or any other routes that provide the public with access to places you want to go.

To discuss the network of core paths in Edinburgh, a series of drop-in events around the city are being held and we would like you to come along and have your say.

New legislation

Your access rights and responsibilities are explained in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Enjoying the outdoors is based on three key principles: • respect the interests of other people • care for the environment • take responsibility for your own actions. www.outdooraccess-scotland.com Our vision is to identify and promote a sustainable and safer core path network in Edinburgh which encourages access for all within the city and to adjacent areas for recreation and work.

Recently introduced legislation has given more outdoor access rights for everyone throughout Scotland. It also placed a duty on all Scottish local authorities to produce a Core Paths Plan for their area.

A Core Paths Plan identifies a system of routes that allow the community reasonable non-motorised access throughout the area. It should include paths suitable for all types of user including walkers, cyclists, horse-riders, canoeists and for people with varying abilities.

What have we been doing in Edinburgh?

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Edinburgh started developing its Core Paths Plan last year. Since June 2006 we’ve held community workshops around the city and consulted with landowners and managers, user groups, Local Development Committees and members of the local community. We’ve asked about people’s views on the paths in and around their city, about gaps and opportunities in the existing network and about issues such as land management, accessibility for different groups and path maintenance.

All this information has been brought together and collated into a map of ‘candidate’ Core Paths. Now, we want to hear your views on our proposals for access routes in Edinburgh.

How can I get involved?

We’re holding a series of drop-in events around the city and we need you to come and give us your views on how the overall system across the whole of the city is taking shape.

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The events will be held on the following days at the following locations:

Event	Date	Details
Community Drop-In Session	21 March, Wed, 4-7.30pm	Central Library, George IV Bridge
Community Drop-In Session	22 March, Thur, 4-7.30pm	Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Avenue
Community Drop-In Session	28 March, Wed, 4-7.30pm	Oxgangs Library, 343 Oxgangs Road
Community Drop-In Session	29 March, Thur,4-7.30pm	Leith Library, 28-30 Ferry Road
Community Drop-In Session	11 April, Wed, 4-7.30pm	Newington Library, 17-21 Fountainhall Road
Community Drop-In Session	12 April, Thur,4-7.30pm	Blackhall Library, 56 Hillhouse Road
Outdoor Access Festival, Princess Street Gardens	28 April	Drop-In consultation during outdoor access festival week. Stand/tent in Princes Street Gardens
Treefest, Inverleith Park	9/10 June	Drop-In tent/stand for drop-in consultation in Inverleith Park

If you’re not able to come to one of these events, now is the time to let us know what you think.
visit: www.edinburghcorepaths.org
e-mail: edinburgh.corepaths@naturalcapital.co.uk
write to: Core Paths, Natural Capital, 13 Coates Crescent, Edinburgh EH3 7AF.