Since its inception in 2022, Paths for All’s Ian Findlay Path Fund (IFPF), funded by Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government, has supported a total of 42 community-led projects across Scotland on their journeys towards improving and developing local paths in their area. These improved active travel routes will help to build vital links within and between communities and make active travel a more accessible and convenient way for people to make every day journeys.
Now entering its third year, Paths for All celebrates the success and hard work of every community supported through the IFPF so far. CEO of Paths for All, Kevin Lafferty, said:
Paths for All’s Ian Findlay Path Fund has been transformative for local communities right across Scotland. The fund has supported over 40 community projects over the last two years, removing barriers and improving path networks to connect local communities together to make active travel an easier option for everyone. I think our late Chief Officer, Ian Findlay CBE, would be delighted with the results and want to see continuing funding from the Scottish Government to support more community path projects in the future.
The first round of IFPF funding allocated almost £1.2m by March 2023 and enabled fifteen individual path construction projects in communities right across Scotland. These first fifteen community-led projects are complete and are now in daily use. The positive impact from each of these projects is being felt within their communities, including Westhill & Elrick Community Council (WECC) who have celebrated the completion of two major projects upgrading the Westhill Orbital Trail in Carnie Woods, Aberdeenshire.
Gordon Prentice, Treasurer of WECC, said:
The Ian Findlay Path Fund was critical to leveraging the balance of funding and support from the two neighbouring local authorities, Aberdeen City Council [ACC], landowner of the woods, and Aberdeenshire Council, landowner and planning authority for neighbouring land connecting into the woods. In addition, ACC provided project management and procurement services free of charge. It was a truly collaborative effort.
"The funding formalised 1.2km of rough paths that had been devastated by storms Arwen and Malik in the winter of 2021/22, so that they can now be used by residents and visitors of all abilities, all year round. For many, the work restores leisure routes, but for others, the new routes provide a peaceful and safe link between home and work."Thanks to the installation of a visitor counter, we can now see that user numbers are around 200 per day, 7 days a week, which is fantastic.Thanks must also go to the contractor for the quality of the finish.
In addition to the construction stage projects, the fund also provided support to a further six projects as they made their way through their construction design phase. Many of these earlier stage projects subsequently went on to secure funding that will allow construction work to go ahead in the coming months. The Rural Development Trust’s Community Action Lanarkshire is one such project and their Active Travel Project Officer Dave Graham said:
Our experience with the Ian Findlay Path Fund has been entirely positive to date. As a small charity, construction design funding has allowed us to bring in experienced consultancy support and we have fully utilised this process to invest in extensive landowner and community engagement activities. The support of the IFPF Technical Officer was invaluable and allowed so much more to be achieved than originally intended.
As well as allocating funding to successful projects, the dedicated IFPF team offers tailored advice, guidance and ongoing support at every stage of each project as they work towards successful delivery. Yvonne McLeod, Senior Development Officer for the Ian Findlay Path Fund, said:
The Ian Findlay Path Fund is delighted to support the development of high-quality, well-planned, community-led projects, and it is extremely satisfying to witness the real difference being made to communities as they deliver these improvements to their local path networks. Every project completed makes it easier for people to get around and reduces dependency on cars for everyday journeys. The demand is high, and we are happy to be able to support so many communities to achieve their goals.
A second round of funding was confirmed from Transport Scotland in Spring 2023 and a further £1.5m was awarded throughout the year up to March 2024.
Thirteen new construction projects are now getting underway, and it is anticipated that they will all be complete by the end of March 2025. Amongst many others, successful projects funded by IFPF include phase two of a project to upgrade an existing path at Loch Leven, the resurfacing and lighting of a path at St Leonards Park in Dunfermline, restoration and re-development of a route at Coalie Park on the Water of Leith and an exciting project to connect the communities of Aird and Sheshader in the Isle of Lewis.
Eight design stage projects were also awarded funding that enables them to take the next steps towards their final goal. Successful projects at this stage will appoint and work with experienced design consultants. Working with communities, these consultants will produce detailed construction design plans that will be used to inform future funding bids.
Bettina Sizeland, Director of Bus, Accessibility and Active Travel at Transport Scotland said:
It has been great to see the exciting range of projects being delivered in partnership with communities as we enter the third year of the fund. The impact that the Ian Findlay Path Fund is having is clear - it is helping people develop the skills and confidence to deliver the small walking and cycling infrastructure projects that make a huge difference in their local area.
With the completion of each new path, it will be easier for communities throughout Scotland to choose walking, wheeling and cycling for those short journeys that may otherwise have been made by car.
A further £1.2 million has been confirmed by Transport Scotland and will be allocated through the IFPF this year. The fund exists to support projects that create new paths or that improve usability and accessibility of existing paths. Eligible projects must be able to demonstrate how they make it easier for people to use active travel to reduce dependency on car usage and show how they work towards achieving at least one other of the programme outcomes.
Further guidance on the type of projects that might be eligible and the range of organisations or groups who may apply can be found here.
You can also explore each IFPF-supported project via our interactive map.
If you would like to make an application to the IFPF, please read our Guidance Document first. We recommend that you get in touch with our dedicated team at IFPF@pathsforall.org.uk to discuss initial proposals.