Almost 130 new paths are to be given legal protection with Core Path status, Falkirk Council has announced.

The Council area has one of the most extensive off road path networks in Scotland – with 617 km of accessible paths in and around the area. 387km of these paths are legally protected with Core Path status.

Following a recent review of the Core Path Network, 128 new paths are set to be included in the legally protected network, bringing the total path network to 471km.

Members at the Executive approved the Council's draft Core Path Plan and a three month consultation launching in March 2019.


Councillor Paul Garner, portfolio holder for Environment said: "The current Core Path Plan has been in place since 2010. Over the years there has been significant investment in the path network, with £6 million pounds secured from external funding organisations and the Council creating and maintaining new and existing paths.

"Following a review of the current plan every community in the Falkirk Council area will have access to a larger legally protected accessible path network."

The Core Paths Plan outlines key walking and cycling routes for local people throughout the area. Proposals that 128 new paths be included in the plan following a public consultation exercise include:

• 14 paths in Larbert and Stenhousemuir

• 12 in Lower Braes

• 13 in Bo'ness

• 10 in Bainsford, Langlees and New Carron.

The revised plan will be available for consultation between March and May 2019 with hard copies in libraries, council offices and Support Hubs.

Core Paths are rights of way, farm tracks, promoted paths or other routes that provide public access to the countryside and urban areas and are legally protected paths.

(MH)