Improving Public Access fund launches

A new fund for improving public access has opened for applications.

The Improving Public Access fund opened on 17 August as part of the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) of the Scottish Rural Development Programme.

The fund aims to support new and upgraded paths for public use to encourage active outdoor activity.

It provides for the capital costs of installing paths, together with related items such as drainage, self-closing gates, signposts, bridges and boardwalks.

The Improving Public Access (IPA) option is open to a range of public bodies, organisations, farmers and other land managers, and is available across all areas of rural Scotland.

Projects will be assessed for their benefits in developing connectivity and linkage in path networks, providing a good basic standard of construction, and in removing obstacles to make access more easily available to the public.

AECS applications for the IPA option will open to applicants from 17 August, and close on 31 October 2015.

You can find more information, including guidance on how to apply, on the Rural Payments and Services website.