I came across this excellent blog site while casually browsing the Interweb recently. As both a walker and a cyclist, I think that this is a great idea that should be heartily supported. These old lines could form an important building block in the countryside network infrastructure that needs to be developed in Northern Ireland. They could be used as paths and trails for recreational users, and also by local people and children travelling safely between towns and villages - well away from dangerous country roads. Politicians take note.
Sunday 1 December 2013
Wild Nephin
Amidst the depressing lack of progress on countryside access legislation, both north and south, sometimes you hear about something that just brightens your day up a little. The Wild Nephin project is a brilliant idea, and will hopefully become a model that can be repeated across the island and beyond.
Saturday 23 November 2013
Shooting yourself in the foot, Part 1...
The recent decision by the Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan, to shelve National Parks legislation is as disheartening as it was inevitable. Given the whipped up hysteria against the legislation, mainly by the UFU, it was only a matter of time before our politicians pandered to the least common denominator and pulled the rug from underneath the one progressive and potentially massively beneficial piece of legislation that the Executive had come up with.
The UFU were predictable in their reaction. Yet such a response is again a startlingly self-defeating one. A wilful refusal to explore or recognise any benefit in National Parks, and the potential diverse economic opportunities such legislation could bring to farmers and land owners, is in the long run a complete dis-service to the people they purport to represent.
It again underlines the fact that the UFU still have to recognise that the rural economy can only thrive if non-farming sectors are given the space to do so. Rural communities are in the main made up of people who do not own land. Sustainable job creation in such areas, which would enable young people to stay and raise families where they were born, rather than move away, can only occur if our legislators create the conditions whereby investment can be made in sustainable rural sectors of employment. National Parks would provide a framework of protections for our most beautiful countryside areas, and also the access frameworks required to encourage much needed investment into them.
Saying all that, advocates of national parks and progressive countryside legislation in general, including those in the tourism sector, need to up their game and start to be more politically savvy. Things won't change all by themselves and the message needs to be better communicated. Those who oppose national parks may be misguided, but once again they have shown that they are better organised and more motivated in their campaign of opposition and lobbying. Dismantling their arguments and getting across a positive vision for the Northern Irish countryside is the challenge before us all.
The UFU were predictable in their reaction. Yet such a response is again a startlingly self-defeating one. A wilful refusal to explore or recognise any benefit in National Parks, and the potential diverse economic opportunities such legislation could bring to farmers and land owners, is in the long run a complete dis-service to the people they purport to represent.
It again underlines the fact that the UFU still have to recognise that the rural economy can only thrive if non-farming sectors are given the space to do so. Rural communities are in the main made up of people who do not own land. Sustainable job creation in such areas, which would enable young people to stay and raise families where they were born, rather than move away, can only occur if our legislators create the conditions whereby investment can be made in sustainable rural sectors of employment. National Parks would provide a framework of protections for our most beautiful countryside areas, and also the access frameworks required to encourage much needed investment into them.
Saying all that, advocates of national parks and progressive countryside legislation in general, including those in the tourism sector, need to up their game and start to be more politically savvy. Things won't change all by themselves and the message needs to be better communicated. Those who oppose national parks may be misguided, but once again they have shown that they are better organised and more motivated in their campaign of opposition and lobbying. Dismantling their arguments and getting across a positive vision for the Northern Irish countryside is the challenge before us all.
Sunday 10 November 2013
Media Interest
It's been a while since I last posted. I'm going to get back at it again, but I thought I should make a quick comment on a little article on countryside access that ran on Radio Ulster the other morning. It was about a right of way being blocked off by developers in the village of Broughshane, a village located outside Ballymena, and the fact that local people had cried foul and were attempting to have it reinstated. Good for them, hopefully it'll be open again before too long.
However, the second half of the article featured an interview with representatives. While the interviewer appeared clueless about the wider issues involved, the Ulster Ramblers rep (Alan McFarland I think, but I could be wrong - Update: turns out it was David Flinn - see comment below) did a nice job, with the limited time available, of drawing a contrast between the situation in GB and in Northern Ireland, especially in relation to activity tourism and the economic benefits that countryside access is bringing there.
By contrast, the Ulster Farmers representative didn't even attempt to engage at that level, instead listing the risks that farmers would face if people got access to their land. It was a rather depressing contribution. In an economic environment that is downright awful, especially in rural areas, the UFU guy displayed a complete lack of imagination or willingness to see any positive benefit to greater countryside access. This highlights the job of work that countryside activity advocates have to do in order to make progress with the farming and landowner types.
Again, David did nice job of arguing how a structured countryside access framework could actually minimise risk to landowners by making it clear where people can and cannot go (PRoWs do this very nicely). He also covered the recent unsuccessful attempt to reform the landowners liability legislation.
However, the second half of the article featured an interview with representatives. While the interviewer appeared clueless about the wider issues involved, the Ulster Ramblers rep (
By contrast, the Ulster Farmers representative didn't even attempt to engage at that level, instead listing the risks that farmers would face if people got access to their land. It was a rather depressing contribution. In an economic environment that is downright awful, especially in rural areas, the UFU guy displayed a complete lack of imagination or willingness to see any positive benefit to greater countryside access. This highlights the job of work that countryside activity advocates have to do in order to make progress with the farming and landowner types.
Again, David did nice job of arguing how a structured countryside access framework could actually minimise risk to landowners by making it clear where people can and cannot go (PRoWs do this very nicely). He also covered the recent unsuccessful attempt to reform the landowners liability legislation.
Sunday 16 June 2013
Some Interesting Facts...
Walking is by far the biggest activity-based tourism activity in Ireland,
attracting 743,000 overseas visitors, four times more than golf, which is the
second largest activity. (Fáilte Ireland,
2012)
According to a recent estimate, Scotland generates £1.4bn from
nature-based tourism (Bryden, Westbrook,
Burns , Taylor , & Anderson, 2010).
By 2015 walking tourism is
projected to account for 22pc of Scotland’s tourism revenue. (Tourism Intelligence Scotland)
Evidence from Fife in Scotland shows that the Fife Coastal Path
contributes between €24m and €29m to the local economy, supporting the
equivalent of 800-900 full time jobs.
(TNS Travel and Tourism & SQW, 2006)
Based on this data and similar case studies, we estimate that if
Irish land access laws are similarly modernised, hundreds of jobs could be
created in the tourism sector in the medium term.
Walking is by far the largest activity-based form of tourism in
Ireland – attracting projected to account for 22% of Scotland’s tourism revenue.
(Tourism Intelligence Scotland) Evidence from Fife in Scotland shows that the
Fife Coastal Path contributes between €24m and €29m to the local economy,
supporting the equivalent of 800-900 full time jobs. (TNS Travel and Tourism & SQW,
2006)
Based on this data and similar case studies, we estimate that if
Irish land access laws are similarly modernised, hundreds of jobs could be
created in the tourism sector in the medium term.
Surveys suggest that Ireland’s scenery is a huge draw for overseas
visitors to Ireland, but much of it remains inaccessible. (Fáilte Ireland , 2010) (Buckley, Hynes,
& van Rensburg, 2008)
Contrary to common perceptions, hikers and walkers spend significant
amounts: the average spend per person among hikers and
walkers in 2011 was €873. (Fáilte Ireland, 2012)
As landowners have discretion to deny access, a wide network of
well-documented walking routes has not been established. Many walking routes are on roads rather than
land and lack of signage leaves tourists confused about where they are allowed
to walk. Taking these factors combined, Ireland currently offers a walking
tourism product which is significantly inferior to that of Scotland, England and
Wales. (URS Scott Wilson, 2012)
Physical inactivity costs the Irish exchequer €1.6 billion per year.
(Cullen, 2010) Changing the land access laws could help to reduce these costs by
increasing recreational walking.
Referenced from 'Open for Jobs – the case for modernizing
Ireland’s land access law'.
If you build it...
That demand for access to the countryside has never been greater is not in question. Wherever access is made possible, where an attractive piece or countryside is opened, or a corridor through the country is made available, then people will flock to it.
That thought struck me when we recently visited the Newry Canal Trail at Scarva. Walkers, runners, and cyclists were out in there hundreds enjoying the canal towpath. As a result, the cafe at Scarva Visitor's Centre was doing a roaring trade.
One has to ask would it be doing such great business if the canal trail was not there to attract all those people in the first place? Not likely. And one can only wonder what other economic opportunities are being missed out on where such access to the countryside does not exist.
That thought struck me when we recently visited the Newry Canal Trail at Scarva. Walkers, runners, and cyclists were out in there hundreds enjoying the canal towpath. As a result, the cafe at Scarva Visitor's Centre was doing a roaring trade.
One has to ask would it be doing such great business if the canal trail was not there to attract all those people in the first place? Not likely. And one can only wonder what other economic opportunities are being missed out on where such access to the countryside does not exist.
An idea whose time has come...
Well done to Robert Dowds, TD. The logic of the argument is unquestionable.
http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2013-06-14a.5
http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2013-06-14a.5
Saturday 15 June 2013
Devon Coast to Coast
We're just back from walking the devon Coast to Coast walk. Starting at Wembury Beach in South Devon and finishing at Lynmouth on the north coast, its a great walk incorporating as it does the Two Moors Way and the Erme-Plym Trail (the first day of walking and the bit that links the south coast to the start of the Two Moors Way at Ivybridge). It took us 6 days, averaging around 16 or 17 miles per day. Some days were longer than others of course, and the last day came in at around 19.
The countryside is amazing of course, expecially Dartmoor and Exmoor. What's also amazing, for someone who lives in Northern Ireland at any rate, is the fact that the countryside is just so accessible. So many paths, so much open country where you are free to just roam, safe in the knowledge that you have the right to do so. It is little wonder that activity tourism generates so much money for the local economy. All the way along the Coast to Coast trail a thriving tourist trade has developed. B&Bs, country farm house accommodation, taxi services, luggage transfer, package tour operators, all only really exist because the trail exists in the first place.
The lack of political will to improve the access situation in Northern Ireland continues to inhibit such economic opportunities for similar rural communities here.
The countryside is amazing of course, expecially Dartmoor and Exmoor. What's also amazing, for someone who lives in Northern Ireland at any rate, is the fact that the countryside is just so accessible. So many paths, so much open country where you are free to just roam, safe in the knowledge that you have the right to do so. It is little wonder that activity tourism generates so much money for the local economy. All the way along the Coast to Coast trail a thriving tourist trade has developed. B&Bs, country farm house accommodation, taxi services, luggage transfer, package tour operators, all only really exist because the trail exists in the first place.
The lack of political will to improve the access situation in Northern Ireland continues to inhibit such economic opportunities for similar rural communities here.
Saturday 30 March 2013
Keep Ireland Open
I've been following the Keep Ireland Open website (http://www.keepirelandopen.org) for a number of years now. They campaign for better countryside access in the Republic of Ireland. They have a tough job on their hands and I wish them well.
I've sometimes thought that some of their rhetoric to be, well, a little whiney, a little negative, and often downright confrontational and abrasive. I can't really blame them, because the situation 'down south' is pretty dire from a countryside access point of view and it must be downright frustrating to be (or at least appear to be) that lone voice crying in the wilderness.
However, perhaps a change of tactics are in order. Instead of simply complaining about the poor legislative framework and general all round lack of access, I've always thought they would be better spending their time building relationships with those who would benefit from an overhaul of the countryside access laws. It shouldn't take too long to realise who these groups are. A long term strategy to change hearts and minds is what will eventually tip the balance politically.
Of course to do all this requires getting your facts straight, and making sure the story you tell is a convincing and compelling one. An idea can be overwhelmingly powerful, but only if it makes sense, if it has logic and right on its side. To this end, its good to see them listing some nice stats on their Spring 2013 newletter. Keep it up guys, and start thinking about that strategy.
I've sometimes thought that some of their rhetoric to be, well, a little whiney, a little negative, and often downright confrontational and abrasive. I can't really blame them, because the situation 'down south' is pretty dire from a countryside access point of view and it must be downright frustrating to be (or at least appear to be) that lone voice crying in the wilderness.
However, perhaps a change of tactics are in order. Instead of simply complaining about the poor legislative framework and general all round lack of access, I've always thought they would be better spending their time building relationships with those who would benefit from an overhaul of the countryside access laws. It shouldn't take too long to realise who these groups are. A long term strategy to change hearts and minds is what will eventually tip the balance politically.
Of course to do all this requires getting your facts straight, and making sure the story you tell is a convincing and compelling one. An idea can be overwhelmingly powerful, but only if it makes sense, if it has logic and right on its side. To this end, its good to see them listing some nice stats on their Spring 2013 newletter. Keep it up guys, and start thinking about that strategy.
White Easter
Managed to squeeze a quick walk in yesterday around Hillsborough Forest Park. I like this forest, its got a nice feel to it, even if it is rather small. Nice lake, castle grounds, mixture of coniferous and native broadleaves. There is still a lot of snow hanging around as you can see from the picture. The temp was around 2 or 3 degrees at best and its not forecast to get much better over the next couple weeks. Brrr!
Saturday 2 March 2013
National Trust -
I wasn't feeling great this weekend (man flu), so we went this morning for a short walk at Mount Stewart on the shores of Stangford Lough, a National Trust property. Impressive mansion, nice gardens, short forest walks, that sort of thing. Its nice, pleasant, good to have around. However, I just can't escape the feeling that its completely inaccessible.
Inaccessible how? Its set within the wider context of some very nice countryside. Rolling hills, forest, fields and hedgerows - every single acre of which is completely off-limits to ordinary oiks like myself - and you. Unless you enjoy walking along a busy A-grade road as a pleasant experience, then you really shouldn't try walking to Mount Stewart. No paths or bridleways lead to it. Also, no matter where you walk in Mount Stewart you're going to eventually come across a 'No Access' sign. This is wrong, perverse; an equivalent property in England would be totally connected path-wise to the rest of the landscape. Access there is taken as a given
Don't get me wrong, the Trust do great work. As well as conserving great buildings, they maintain large tracts of countryside, and keep most of it open for access all year round. In the relative desert of access that is the Northern ireland countryside, they have developed many little oasis of accessibility. Divis and Black Mountain, North Antrim Coast, Fair Head, Slieve Donard, Castle Coole to name but a few.
But it strikes me as odd that the Trust, one of the UKs most powerful environmental campaigning organisations, and one supposedly committed to increasing access to the countryside, has never (to the best of my knowledge) addressed Northern Ireland's poor countryside access situation. Why not?
Inaccessible how? Its set within the wider context of some very nice countryside. Rolling hills, forest, fields and hedgerows - every single acre of which is completely off-limits to ordinary oiks like myself - and you. Unless you enjoy walking along a busy A-grade road as a pleasant experience, then you really shouldn't try walking to Mount Stewart. No paths or bridleways lead to it. Also, no matter where you walk in Mount Stewart you're going to eventually come across a 'No Access' sign. This is wrong, perverse; an equivalent property in England would be totally connected path-wise to the rest of the landscape. Access there is taken as a given
Don't get me wrong, the Trust do great work. As well as conserving great buildings, they maintain large tracts of countryside, and keep most of it open for access all year round. In the relative desert of access that is the Northern ireland countryside, they have developed many little oasis of accessibility. Divis and Black Mountain, North Antrim Coast, Fair Head, Slieve Donard, Castle Coole to name but a few.
But it strikes me as odd that the Trust, one of the UKs most powerful environmental campaigning organisations, and one supposedly committed to increasing access to the countryside, has never (to the best of my knowledge) addressed Northern Ireland's poor countryside access situation. Why not?
Sunday 17 February 2013
Newtownabbey Way
We walked the newly opened Newtownabbey Way recently. Lovely trail, for both walkers and cyclists alike, and with plenty of surprises (the viaducts are astonishing). Kudos to Newtownabbey council for having the vision to create such a great amenity - please pay attention everyone else.
Being that it disects essentially urban and suburban areas, its success should be well assured, but it will need to be maintained - litter as always is going to be a problem from certain anti-social types out there.
It links up with the Loughshore Trail, providing an off-road experience all the way to Belfast, Joining up with the Lagan Towpath.
http://www.newtownabbey.gov.uk/maps/newtownabbeyway.asp
Being that it disects essentially urban and suburban areas, its success should be well assured, but it will need to be maintained - litter as always is going to be a problem from certain anti-social types out there.
It links up with the Loughshore Trail, providing an off-road experience all the way to Belfast, Joining up with the Lagan Towpath.
http://www.newtownabbey.gov.uk/maps/newtownabbeyway.asp
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