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Outdoor Access - Projects and Grants|
Projects
The following projects aim to encourage responsible access throughout North Ayrshire.
From the Horse's Mouth|
Go On - Get Out There!|
Paws for Thought|
Paws for Thought
The Paws for Thought project aims to promote responsible dog ownership and walking, and is a partnership project between the Council's Legal and Protective, Cleansing and Environmental Health Services. It is part funded by Scottish Natural Heritage and Gibb of Galston.
Dog walking is a favourite outdoor activity, and the problem of dog fouling is a concern throughout North Ayrshire. The following simple guide has been developed to enable dog owners to ensure that they are responsible and to raise awareness of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and what it means for dog owners. Paper copies of the leaflet are available from Libraries, Community Centres, Eglinton Country Park and Veterinary Surgeries.
Paws for Thought Leaflet| (pdf 944KB)
Responsible dog owner incentive bags are also being distributed through a variety of channels including through the Council's Dog Wardens and Countryside Ranger Service. These are also available from Reception at Cunninghame House, Montgomerie House and Perceton House and include:
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A copy of the Paws for Thought leaflet
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A reflector for your dogs collar
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Dog tidy bags
Please contact the Access Officer or the Litter/Recycling Officer on 01294 541500 to obtain an incentive bag.
From the Horse's Mouth
The From the Horse's Mouth project aims to encourage responsible horse riding in North Ayrshire.
Horse riding is a popular activity within North Ayrshire. Whether you ride in the local park, in the town, along the coast or out in the countryside you always need to ensure that you do so responsibly. The following simple guide to responsible horse riding has been produced in partnership with the British Horse Society (BHS). Paper copies of the guide are available from Eglinton Country Park, local libraries, Gibb of Galston and from the Access Officer.
From the Horse's Mouth Leaflet| (pdf 735KB)
For further information visit the following sites:
Scottish Outdoor Access Code|
Dog Fouling Scotland Act|
Environmental Protection Act|
Go On - Get Out There!
In 2004/05 the "Go On - Get Out There!" Project was launched and provided each child in Primary and Secondary education in North Ayrshire with a fun but informative leaflet about walking and cycling to school. This was a partnership project between the Council's Development and Promotion, Education and Roads Services and aimed to:
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Encourage children to walk and cycle to school in preference to being driven
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Highlight the benefits of sustainable transport in terms of improvements to both health and quality of life
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Reduce the number of cars in and around school areas
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Encourage responsible access
Interpretive banners were also produced for use in schools and at local events. To borrow these, please contact the Schools Travel Plan Co-ordinator on 01294 225227
The project was part funded by the Paths for All Partnership and was launched on 22nd April 2005 by Rona Gibb of the Paths for All Partnership and Ronnie Small, Head of Roads Services at Whitehirst Park Primary School, Kilwinning.
The second phase of the Go On - Get Out There! project developed a Schools grant scheme similar to the Community Outdoor Access Grant Scheme (COAGS) to enable the School or school based groups to develop projects that promote sustainable transport and responsible access. This scheme is funded by Education, Planning and Roads and Transportation Services. The grants are administered by Roads' School Travel Plan Co-ordinator with assistance from the Access Officer.
A wide range of works have been funded under the scheme including:
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The production and printing of School Travel Plans
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Purchase and installation of cycle racks
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Cycle Permit schemes including reflective wrist wraps and Sam Brown belts
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Materials for car pool schemes and safer routes to school
The Council was awarded £20,200 in 2006/07 for the third phase of the Go On - Get Out There! project by Sustrans. This is through the Tackling the School Run (TSR) scheme funded by the Scottish Executive. The third phase included the:
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Relaunch and reprint of the walking and cycling to school leaflet
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Purchase and distribution of reflective materials to every Primary school child in North Ayrshire
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Additional Road Safety Plays
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Upgrading of cycle training markings in all Primary School Playgrounds
In 2007/08 the Council was awarded a further £70,000 under the TSR scheme for the fourth phase of Go On - Get Out There to:
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Create a safer route to school at Ardeer
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Provide 20 schools with a performance of an environmental play entitled "When The Oil Runs Out"
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Provide cycle parking facilities in 3 schools
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Produce safer routes to school maps for 22 schools
Copies of the leaflets and banners can be downloaded below:
Primary Leaflet |(pdf 1.17MB)
Secondary leaflet| (pdf 1.10MB)
Go On - Get Out There Banners!| (pdf 266KB)
For further information or an application pack please contact the Council's School Travel Plan Co-ordinator, Fiona Cameron on 01294 225227 or contact the Access Officer using the details opposite.
Grants
Community Outdoor Access Grant Scheme
North Ayrshire Council operates the innovative Community Outdoor Access Grant Scheme. Community councils and voluntary bodies, such as community groups, are eligible to apply to the scheme for assistance towards small-scale community based outdoor access projects.
Brodick Improvements Committee who have now undertaken four projects through the scheme informed the Access Officer of the success of their project on the Fisherman's Walk in Brodick. The group said, "We are really quite proud of this particular path, which is extremely well used and encourages walkers to keep off the busy main road". The group also said previously of the scheme that it had "provided them with the incentive to undertake further projects.
Purpose of the grant scheme:
The main purpose of the scheme is to assist the development of community based access works. The scheme is funded by North Ayrshire Council and operates on an annual cycle.
Who can apply:
Community councils and voluntary bodies, such as community groups, are entitled to apply to the scheme. Voluntary groups are required to be constituted and operate on a voluntary basis. Applicants are advised to keep their Local Member informed of the works in order that guidance may be obtained.
What is eligible:
The scheme offers assistance of a maximum of £500 towards the cost of any eligible work, such as:
What is not eligible:
The following are ineligible for funding under the terms of the scheme:
Grant monies can only be used for the purposes detailed within the grant application, unless changes are specifically requested from, and approved by, the Council.
Further assistance:
Should you require further information, please contact the Access Officer.
Guidance Notes and Application Form:
Please follow the links for Guidance Notes (pdf ) and Application Forms| (Go to Planning - Community Outdoor Access Grant Scheme Form)
Application forms are available in two formats, PDF and Microsoft Word.
If you are using the Word version, detach the file to your computer, complete it and send it to the address provided.
If you do not have Microsoft Word, then you should use the PDF version. To view the file, you require Acrobat Reader. If you don't already have this, you can download it free from the link provided in the forms database. Detach the file to your computer, complete the form, print it and return by post.