Under the terms of the Land Reform Act (Scotland), which received Royal Assent in February 2003, we have taken a more active approach to access planning and management.
Among the measures recommended to achieve this, is a coherent strategy which is effectively owned not only by East Ayrshire Council, but also by all the stakeholders with a role to play in access planning, development and management.
In response to this requirement we have set out a strategy for outdoor access, established a core forum group and six local action groups who are consulted and involved with any outdoor access proposals.
The Access Strategy is being reviewed and amended to incorporate the new Land Reform Act. Changes to the strategy will be published when finalised
The vision for outdoor access in East Ayrshire
A series of well planned, co-ordinated and used path networks which will provide connections between communities, meet social needs and health needs of communities, realise the area's tourism potential, promote more sustainable transport choices, support economic and environmental regeneration.