A NETWORK of countryside paths is set to be developed as part of the Island’s post-Covid recovery.
The government has allocated £750,000 towards the Countryside Access and Wellbeing project and plans to invest the money over the next 16 months to create a range of new or repurposed paths.
In allocating funds from the Covid-19 Health and Social Recovery Fund, it has been recognised that many Islanders started to appreciate getting out in the countryside during the early stages of the pandemic.
Senior environment officer Julia Clively said: ‘People were trying to get out and about during the daily exercise period that was permitted, and a lot of these people were first-time users. Those who hadn’t previously got out and about that much have recognised the benefits to their physical and mental wellbeing – that’s what we want to encourage.’
Bodies such as government departments, parishes and the National Trust for Jersey, as well as private landowners, are being encouraged to speak to Natural Environment officials before making an application for funding.
Ms Clively said that while some projects might involve new pathways, applications would also be considered for existing chemin or perquage routes that may have fallen into disrepair.
‘We have quite a lot of routes around the coast, but less in the middle of the Island, so we would hope to address that,’ she said. ‘If two parishes want to join forces and set up a path that crosses a parish boundary, then we’d be interested in hearing from them.’
A steering group will assess all applications, with schemes that are accessible for all users and improve connectivity likely to be favoured, as long as the necessary permissions have been obtained from landowners.
Successful applicants will be responsible for all aspects of the creation and future maintenance of their path. It is not yet clear how many miles of pathways will be covered by the project.
Some of the routes may be shared, with cyclists and/or horse riders able to use them. Ms Clively said the intention would be to accommodate leisure cycling, rather than competitive riding, and that none of the routes would be tarmacked.
Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf said: ‘We have seen through the pandemic that Jersey’s countryside and ecology offer an incredibly important resource which can contribute to personal wellbeing.
‘The pandemic has brought people and communities together and it is important that we continue to build on these silver linings.’
Deputy Renouf added that he hoped the funding would enhance Islanders’ ability to enjoy the natural world.
Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Julia Clively on 441600 in order to discuss the process.
