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The Helensburgh & District Access Forum set up the Garrawy Glen Footpath Project as part of their paths strategy to improve an existing but much-neglected path on the outskirts of Helensburgh. The path had the potential to be both a pleasant walk in itself and also a useful link to other paths taking walkers further into the countryside.
Overview
The Helensburgh & District Access Forum is a community-based organisation and registered charity, run by volunteers. It was established in 1999 to develop a round-Helensburgh countryside paths network. Some paths already existed, some existed but needed improving and others were still on the drawing board.
The Access Forum set up the Garrawy Glen Footpath Project as part of their paths strategy to improve an existing but much-neglected path on the outskirts of Helensburgh. The path had the potential to be both a pleasant walk in itself and also a useful link to other paths taking walkers further into the countryside. The path needed to be totally upgraded and rebuilt in many places; years of rubbish and dumping had to be cleared; and fences and gates had to be built. A contractor was employed with site supervision and project management handled by members of the Access Forum. The total cost including VAT was £55,000 with the majority of the funding coming from Scottish Natural Heritage and the New Opportunities Fund.
The project took 3 years from conception to finished path, with the path officially opening in May 2003. The actual path construction and upgrade only took 12 weeks!
KEY PARTNERS
The Access Forum is a partnership between the following groups: Cardross Community Council; Helensburgh Community Council; Rhu & Shandon community Council; Helensburgh & Lomond Area Committee of Argyll & Bute Council; Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond & Trossachs Tourist Board; British Horse Society; Friends of Loch Lomond; Friends of the Highlandman's Road; Helensburgh & District Civic Society; Helensburgh & District Disability Access Panel; Helensburgh & District Natural History Society; Helensburgh Green Belt Group; Scottish National Farmers Union; Scottish Landowners' Federation; and the Scottish Ramblers Association.
The other key partners in the Garrawy Glen Project are Argyll & Bute Council planning & legal departments, Lower Clyde Greenspace, Scottish Natural Heritage, Paths for All and the landowner, which is the MOD.
FUNDERS
- Argyll & Bute Council are committee granted £3,000
- Scottish Natural Heritage provided a grant of £20,000 to kick-start the project, on the understanding that matched funding would be found.
- Lower Clyde Greenspace donated their time and expertise in providing an initial feasibility study and estimates for the work which cost approximately £2,000
- Local fundraising by the Access Forum, using leaflet drops telling residents about the project asking for donations, raised approximately £3,000
- New Opportunities Fund Fresh Futures funding raised the balance of £20,000
- Through effective partnership Argyll & Bute Council enabled the VAT element of the work carried out to be reclaimed (value £7,689)
THEMATIC CRITERIA
Argyll & Bute;
1) Footpaths
2) Local amenities
3) Healthy Living
Plan
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
- Upgrade an existing footpath and make it more attractive
- Regenerate a neglected part of town that is also within a SIP area
- Provide a connection to a much larger network of paths
- Provide health and recreation facilities for the local community
- Provide easy access to nature and in the longer term for educational purposes/school studies
OUTPUTS
- Created a safe footpath that is accessible in all weathers
- Constructed a wooden bridge over the river in the glen
- Erected new fencing and gates
- Removed unsafe structures/bridges/trees
- Reclaimed derelict, abandoned land
FUTURE STEPS
The footpath is now open and being used regularly by the community. The Local Authority has responsibility for maintenance of the path, but the Access Forum organises volunteer litter picks in order to foster and encourage community pride in the path, whilst also maintaining its appearance. Eventually the path will be extended to link up with a much longer path already in existence, called the Upland Way. If funding can be secured, interpretation boards will be erected along the path.
Efforts have already been made to create a local management group of volunteers to assist and help maintain & manage the site.
Progress
CURRENT ISSUES/ EVENTS
Garrawy Glen was part of a much larger footpaths project. The Access Forum is now going through the process of planning and securing funding for two other paths - a linear path connecting to a much longer footpath to the west of Helensburgh, and a circuit path suitable for wheelchairs/pushchairs within a wooded area at Duchess Wood.
Review
ACHIEVEMENTS
- A well constructed path that will last for at least a decade
- A neglected corner of Helensburgh rejuvenated
- A complex project delivered on time and to budget
- Increased profile and standing of the Access Forum and its members
- Access Forum members have gained skills and expertise that can be utilised on future projects
- The footpath will act as a model and influence other footpath projects in the area
BENEFICIARIES
- Local community
- Walkers/ramblers
- Local school children
The path currently benefits mainly local residents using it for health & recreation, dog walking, nature studies. Once the path has been extended to link with other footpaths, such as the Upland Way, it will be of great interest to walkers/ramblers and tourists from outside the local area.
PROCESS
The creation of the Helensburgh & District Access Forum in 1999 provided the expertise needed to get the project up and running
The Scottish Natural Heritage funding offer, also in 1999, was the catalyst that kick-started the project.
The planning stage took two and a half years, due to protracted negotiations with landowners, funders and the local authority. The wide range of skills, the professional and technical experience, and the networking abilities of the members of the Access Forum were crucial to making this project work and overcoming the many hurdles put in their way.
Throughout the process the Access Forum ensured that the local community was kept informed and involved.
A construction company was employed to build the path, as the work was too technical and demanding to be undertaken by volunteers. The Access Forum members decided to take on the project management role but employed a supervisor to ensure that it was done to their specifications. This enabled a presence to be on site during the working week.
When construction work finally got underway it took three months to build the path, and it was officially opened in May 2003.
LESSONS LEARNT
- Do not underestimate the costs involved in creating a good path, fit for its purpose. The Access Forum did go with the cheapest quote. They chose a contractor through an interview process that understood the special demands of the site and satisfied the forum of their flexibility and ability to deliver the job on time.
- Everything takes far longer than you imagine and the project team must be prepared to give up a significant amount of personal time
- Voluntary groups are not taken very seriously or given high priority within planning departments or with people of influence, so the project team must be prepared to be determined, dogged and thick-skinned
- Having a project team with a range of skills that could be utilised at various points was crucial to the success of this project and enabled costs to be kept down and control maintained. Manage people to ensure their strengths are utilised.
- Draw up contracts and agreements in writing for everything, so you have some come back when things go wrong, because they will!
- Make sure that you have the support of the local community and your local councillors. Spend time keeping people up to date.
- Early, regular and constructive consultation with landowners is crucial as they can create all kinds of problems if unhappy with the way the project progresses
- Make sure you speak to the people with the authority to make decisions when seeking planning permission, consent for work etc. An awful lot of time can be wasted otherwise.
- Effective teamwork between key forum members was essential
- When handling significant amounts of money it is essential that the voluntary organisation is a 'company limited by guarantee'. This ensures individual volunteers do not have any personal liabilities.
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