FARAG's Record
Proceeding by agreement is not a rapid process. People sometimes join FARAG with enthusiasm and then leave after a year, complaining "FARAG's done nothing." This is far from the truth.
We all wish we could have a completed path network tomorrow, but sadly wishes and complaints don't get the job done. What does get the job done is a lot of hard work and determination, patient investigation into what is required, who owns the land, what geological or other problems will be encountered, and who is likely to be able to help us.
This is followed by negotiations with interested parties, applications for grants, drawing up of plans and issuing of contracts. Sometimes the opening of a path is the result of years of effort by FARAG and others.
Things are happening, and we need your continued support!
Core Paths Network
FARAG has been involved in the various consultations held by Falkirk Council about the Core Path network. The Plan is now at the final stage and objections to the plan are being considered by the Council. The Falkirk Outdoor Access Forum has been involved in the process and have visited various areas which are the subject of objection and have passed on their views to the Council. In general, the Forum was supportive of the routes proposed but the final outcome rests with the Council. Falkirk Council is one of the most progressive Councils as far as the timetable and proposed routes are concerned. Some of the other Councils appear to have made much less effort, either because they have no money to do anything or they are not committed to the idea of a core paths network.
Muiravonside
The new bridleways at Muiravonside Country Park were formally opened by Councillor David Speirs on Sunday 13th October 2002. The clearance, surfacing and drainage was carried out by Falkirk Council in consultation with FARAG. This was our first project and it has stood the test of time reasonable well although there is some wear and tear due to the volume of usage.
The LOAN: Falkirk Council’s works team has undertaken the fencing at this site to allow a track to join an existing path. This work is now complete as the gates and fencing are up from the Loan to the Canal Basin and on to Almond Road. Our thanks to Mandy Brown, Falkirk Council’s Access Officer for organising this.
Candie
The Candie right of way was opened up for horses when the woodland was fenced off and self closing gates were installed at either end of the track. This work was completed early in 2008 and our thanks go to Falkirk Council and Scottish Natural Heritage for their financial contribution to this work.
The Candie railwayline which had become very overgrown was cleared and was also available for use again.
Castlecary
For the past 25 years this was closed with a padlock and stile. The kissing gate has been replaced by self closing gate so horses now have access without keys for padlocks
Roughrigg
The big gates at Roughrigg were padlocked in May 2007 but, after discussions with the landowner, he agreed to have the kissing gates replaced by horse stiles as specified in the BHS/SNH handbook. These are two parallel sleepers which are supposed to deter motor bikes/quad bikes. This work has been completed and the first reports back are that the horses do not have any problem with them. See picture on the web site. Unfortunately we had to use our own funds to pay for the two stiles but that is what funds are for and the routes are open again. We agreed with the landowner that if we noticed any antisocial behaviour or damage to his property we would report back to him so if any riders notice anything that should be reported, please contact Sheila on 01324 851262 and the information will be passed on.
CHACEFIELD WOODS, DENNY
We were awarded funds from Falkirk Environment Trust for the upgrading of the tracks as part of the regeneration of the woods. There have been a few problems between riders and other users in the past, mostly because of the muddy conditions, but a few because of riders being inconsiderate to pedestrians. We hope that with wider and better paths everyone will feel better about the area and be polite to each other.
About our work
East Stirlingshire is a beautiful part of the world. We are privileged to enjoy some fine countryside and parks.
But it is also an area of relatively dense population and industrial activity. This means that traffic has grown very significantly in recent years. Many road users are not well informed about horses and do not know how to react when encountering horses on the roads. This lack of knowledge threatens lives. Falkirk Area Riders Access Group aims to improve knowledge. Our survey is aimed at improving understanding of the problem.
Safety and Responsibility
From a safety point of view it is urgent to ensure that adequate off road riding is available for the increasing number of people, including many children, involved in equestrian activities in the Falkirk area.
However not all landowners know about horses either, and some who do have experienced discourtesy or thoughtless behaviour by irresponsible riders. This must change. Falkirk Area Riders Access Group is helping to promote this change.
Grateful Thanks
We should like to express our sincere thanks to Falkirk Environment Trust and Scottish Natural Heritage for their valued financial support to various of our projects in this area.
Limerigg
The Limerigg Community Association received a grant in 2004 for work on paths in the land owned by the Forestry Commission who carried out the work. Most of this work was finished by the end of March 2005. All these paths are available for use by horse riders. The track which comes off the B825 (Limerigg to Caldercruix) right through to the Longriggend/Binniehill road now has a big gate and riders from Slamannan and Longriggend are able to get to the new tracks which are on both sides of the B8022 Limerigg / Slamannan road.
DRAINING PROJECT - Falkirk Environment Trust has the money available for a drainage project where a circular route is blocked for horses by a very boggy area on an otherwise good track. A contractor has visited the site and an estimate has just been received. Unfortunately the Forestry Commission had a delay with their contractor who was undertaking the felling work which needs to be done before we can proceed with the draining work. This project will go ahead but we do not have a date so far.
Blackbraes
The Maddiston Blackbraes path now has a self closing gate at the California end.
Slamannan
RAILWAY TRACK - Negotiations are ongoing with the farmer who has been using the section of railway line which connects the Lodge Farm Wood to the other section of railway line leading to Roughrigg. It will still take some time to get this link sorted out and it also holds up the other work in this area as it is supposed to go ahead as a single project.
Contacts:
Secretary / Treasurer:
Sheila Hall
Balcastle House, Slamannan,
Tel: 01324 851262
