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iN brieF
Green light for Cairngorms paths plan
Heritage deal for
Authority to move forward with the development of a "more integrated network"
Leicestershire locks
British Waterways has secured By Martin Nash
a new Heritage Partnership
Agreement to safeguard the After getting approval from the
long-term future of Foxton Locks Scottish government, Cairn-
in Leicestershire. English gorms National Park Authority
Heritage, Harborough District (CNPA) is to move forward with
Council and Leicestershire its Core Paths Plan.
County Council have all signed In total, 1,197 people were
up to the agreement, which sets involved in the plan's three
out ways in which the historic consultative phases, it being
environment of the attraction designed to attract more
will be managed. Foxton Locks, people to the outdoors and
which attracts more than help land managers to manage
300,000 visitors each year, access across land and water. The plan will cover more than 900km of new and existing tracks
boasts 10 locks and is classed as The plan highlights an overall
a designated conservation area. path network of new and better managed river catering people and abilities to enjoy
existing tracks, roads, pave- more effectively for the needs the special qualities of the
Trust acquires Scottish
ments and water courses in the of the diverse range of users Cairngorms National Park can
crofting estate
park totalling around 932km who enjoy it. be taken forward.
A trust has become the first (579 miles). In a first for David Green, convener of "Once completed, the work
community group in Scotland to Scotland, the Cairngorms Core the CNPA said: "Now that the will allow users to move around
complete the purchase of a Paths Plan has designated the Core Paths Plan has been and enjoy the park more easily
Scottish government-owned surface of the River Spey within approved, the development of while minimising conflict with
crofting estate, after acquiring the park as a core path. It is a more integrated network of farmers, foresters and estates
land on the Isle of Harris. The hoped that this will result in a paths for a wider range of who manage the land."
West Harris Trust has taken
control of 6,578 hectares (16,255
acres) of land, incorporating the
£216,000 River Lea towpath upgrade completed
Borve, Luskentyre and
Scaristavore estates in a bid to By Pete Hayman
improve the tourism potential of
the area. Plans for the land British Waterways (BW) has
acquired by the trust include completed work on a £216,000
improvements to Scarista Golf scheme to improve a 1-mile
Course, enhanced access to the (1.6km) section of towpath on
beach, a new café/restaurants the River Lea between
and the provision of a site for Cheshunt Lock and Waltham
touring caravans and camping. Common Lock in Hertfordshire.
Norwich-based contractor
New ways to learn
May Gurney carried out the
about the New Forest
work to help to establish a
An initiative by the National 4-mile (6.4km) wheelchair and May Gurney carried out work to improve the section of towpath
Park Authority will see five new pushchair-friendly route and
local information points opening has involved the widening and Antonia Zotali, BW's senior "The improvements that
in the New Forest, Hampshire. resurfacing of the towpath. project manager, said: "This British Waterways has made
The points are designed to The towpath between section of the River Lea will ensure that everyone can
provide a one-stop shop for Waltham Town Lock and Old Navigation is extremely have safe and easy access to
residents and visitors who want Nazeing Road has been the popular with walkers, cyclists the river and surrounding park
to learn more about the National subject of efforts to improve and anglers and as a result the all year round."
Park and what is best to see and the route after BW was towpath, which is more than 20 In addition to the towpath
do in the local area. The five awarded funding through the years old, had become worn improvements, benches, lock
new information facilities will Department for Communities and uneven, meaning that furniture and mooring bollards
offer information and a range of and Local Government's Green when it rained some very large underwent repair work, while
maps, leaflets and publications. Arch Growth Area Project. puddles were created. muddy areas were regrassed.
18 Read Leisure Opportunities online www.leisureopportunities.com/digital © Cybertrek 2010
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