It is the view of the Ramblers that in most cases development can accommodate a right of way as a safe and convenient feature. It is often possible to retain a distinct path separate from the pavements alongside roads, whether on its existing route or through or around open spaces or woodland or by water features. Government circular 01/09 says estate roads and footways should be used only if a route away from vehicular traffic is impossible.
This Council urges areas and groups to:
(a) press their highway authorities to adopt the government’s target of ‘the entire rights of way network to be legally defined, properly maintained and well publicised by the end of the century’ (at the latest) and in national parks by 1995, and
(b) work with their highway authorities to that end, ensuring that priority is given to getting definitive paths reopened and updating the definitive map, with no priority given to diversions unless they are clearly in the public interest.
