To supply a scoping study relating to the development and enhancement of the Ulster Ireland section of the International Appalachian Trail measuring a distance of 302 miles (485 kilometres) from west Donegal in the Republic of Ireland to Larne, Co. Antrim in Northern Ireland.
The scoping study required:
Provision of an overview analysis of the strategic context
Provision of an audit of the baseline and a review of IAT and its component parts
Identification of opportunities to develop the trail and maximise economic benefit
Identification of priorities & actions
Provision of an options appraisal
Provision of a series of recommendations to facilitate project delivery.
The Role
To deliver the project we undertook the following actions:
A detailed examination of the strategic context in which the project will operate
Facilitation a one-day workshop with key officers from each Council area to agree a consensus approach to ensure consistency across sections / stakeholders
An on the ground review in the priority areas (up to a maximum of 60 miles in total) to critically assess physical infrastructure and sustainability
Utilization of GIS Mapping to undertake a mapping exercise to:
critically review and assess the physical course taken by the existing trail (entire route) to determine if this is the optimum route
reflect findings from on the ground review of priority sections
dovetail these findings alongside the holistic route i.e. the other sections of the route to which the on ground review did not apply
Primary research (9 workshops, online surveys and one-to-one consultation) to ascertain visitor experience, marketing, brand recognition and economic impact
International best practice benchmarking to ascertain economic benefit and critical factors for success
Identification of priorities holistically for the Ulster Ireland IAT, and those specific to each LAG/Council area in relation to the opportunities identified
Development of a SWOT analysis for each element of the project and consider the feasibility including economic analysis of each development component
Development of a set of key recommendations in relation to the steps and actions required to move the project from the feasibility phase to completion
Project Funders
IAT (Inter-LAG) Cooperation Working Group including: