www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Rights of Way - countryside access development
Summary of Service
Countryside Access Development follows from the production of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP), the document in which Wiltshire County Council sets out its plans for improving the network of public footpaths, bridleways and byways in Wiltshire.
The ROWIP sets out the actions that are required by visitors to and inhabitants of Wiltshire to improve countryside access, through the Public Rights of Way network and permissive access agreements. We will implement these actions where practicable and when resources come available, some of the actions are already underway.
Details of Service
How we manage
The Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) contains an assessment of:
- Opportunities that rights of way provide for exercise and other forms of open-air recreation and enjoyment of the countryside;
- The extent to which rights of way meet the present and future needs of Wiltshire's residents and visitors;
- The suitability and accessibility of the network for people with visual disabilities, and others with mobility problems.
From consultations already completed there are statements of action that the authority will take to manage and improve the rights of way network in the county. These contain a description of the improvement; the method of improvement; a timescale; estimated costs; who will be involved in the improvement and an overview of how we will know the improvement has been implemented successfully.
It provides a chance to examine how rights of way can provide, amongst other things, better links to:
- Local businesses and tourist attractions
- Schools, shops and other essential services
- Public transport facilities
- Popular landmarks and landscape features
- Open access land as defined by the CROW Act
It has involved extensive public consultation with neighbouring authorities, district councils, parish councils, AONBs, the New Forest National Park, Natural England, the Local Access Forum, user groups, and landowning and farming representatives. This is in addition to individuals interested in the development of countryside access within Wiltshire. In providing the DRAFT Rights of Way Improvement Plan for further consultation we hope that it will provide a basis for continued discussion.
We look at what improvements we can hope to achieve on the ground and in the way we communicate with landowners, users of the network and regional bodies. The ROWIP also provides an assessment of the definitive map of rights of way, applications for improvements and modifications, and a consideration of the general condition of the network.
Legal framework and fuller explanation
The production of a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) is a statutory requirement, set out in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. This put the responsibility of producing a ROWIP by November 2007 on the local Highway Authorities. Due to staffing problems within the Rights of Way section, Wiltshire County Council&rsquo
Contact Details
By Post
Countryside Access Development Officer
Environmental Services Department
Wiltshire County Council
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JD
By Email
CADO@wiltshire.gov.uk
By Telephone
01225 713349
By Fax
01225 713400
| A to Z Names | Rights of Way – countryside access development, Travelling people - provision of sites |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Rights of Way - rights of way improvement plan |
| PID No. | 655 |
| IPSV Category | Traveller sites |
| Level 1 Name | Rights of Way – countryside access development |
| IPSV ID | 449 |
