Scotland’s access rights are being pushed to breaking point due to a collapse in investment.
World-class access rights. Third-rate funding.
This has left paths crumbling, gates locked and many communities with no safe local routes, leaving too many people with nowhere to walk close to home.
We know that paths, particularly those close to where we live, are lifelines for walking in the outdoors, connecting us to fresh air, green space – and each other.
However, our research shows that in Scotland, the wealthiest communities have access to twice as many paths as the least well-off communities.
This is deepening inequalities in a country where the gap in healthy life expectancy between the most and least well-off communities is already 26 years.
We need change. During the next 5-year parliament, we want a £50 million Scottish Paths Fund to create a bigger, better path network that's accessible to all.
With the Scottish election approaching, now is the time to make your voice heard.
Write to your candidates to ask them to support Scottish Paths Fund and tell them:
Access to nature isn’t a luxury. It’s a right.