TNS Coastal Path Usage Study
This study was designed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the Fife Coastal Path and the reasons. It was also designed to provide information on the economic impact of the coastal path to Fife.
The study involved almost 800 surveys taking place over 17 different sites along the path. These surveys took place between July 2006 and June 2007.
On August 24, 2007,FCCT hosted a seminar where the consultants presented the key results of the study at a meeting, held at Town House, Kirkcaldy, on the subject “Long Distance Paths in Fife”. Representatives from Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust, Sustrans, Fife Council, Scottish Enterprise, VisitScotland and FCCT participated. The presentation was well received by the participants, with many useful comments and questions on the research findings. A draft, integrated, final report on the study was submitted to project partners on September 29, 2007. The consultants also prepared an Executive Summary for wider circulation of the results, and as a basis for discussion on developing the economic opportunities presented by the path, and addressing the issues and opportunities identified in the study.
Some of the key information was as follows:
The Fife Coastal Path receives over 500,000 visits each year.
The users of the path generate between £24 million and £29 million for the economy of Fife.
The results of the coastal path study have been well received at the regional and national level and have been used to advantage in promoting the Trust’s activities and in supporting new initiatives. A summary of the study has been published by the North Sea Programme Interreg IIIC project, Destilink, as an example of good practice. The next step is to convene a meeting of project partners to determine how to capitalise on the outcomes of the study, particularly on developing the economic opportunities presented by the path, and addressing the issues raised.
A full copy of the Coastal Path Usage and Impact Study will be available in the near future.