500 Paths target
Every year hundreds of rights of way are opened up or otherwise secured through Ramblers work, but we have never kept comprehensive records of where these successes have been achieved.
In the 2009-10 business plan we have set ourselves the target of getting 500 paths unblocked, saved or newly-recorded. In order to measure progress towards this target the Walking Environment team would like to hear of all your path successes, from October 2009 onwards.
The easiest way to let us know about Ramblers successes on the path network is via the path successes page.
If you prefer, you can email the details below to walking.environment@ramblers.org.uk
Date of success
Path type and number (e.g. Footpath 14)
Parish, town, locality
Highway authority
Issue (e.g. blocked path, extinguishment proposal)
Lead volunteer name
Contact email
Ramblers staff member name (if applicable)
Ramblers action taken
Status of path
It is important that we only count a path once the outcome of any process is known.
For example:
- The path has been unblocked at the point that the practical work takes place, or the public-interest diversion is in place, and the path is walkable
- The path has been officially 'saved' at the point that the extinguishment order is rejected, or prior to that, the pre-order consultation decides that the path is needed
- The path has been newly-recorded at the point that the DMMO has been confirmed
Wherever possible, it would be great to receive photographs of the paths in question. These can be uploaded on the path successes page, or sent by email to walking.environment@ramblers.org.uk
Once the new CAMS (Countryside Access Management System) database is in place, we will be using that to record path successes.
Generic email addresses for council rights of way teams
As part of our RoWIP Campaign, From Paper to People and Places, we are making contact with every council rights of way team in England. If you know any of these addresses please take a look at our list of outstanding council addresses here.
Coastal Access on the cusp of success
Thank you to everyone who contacted their MP in advance of the final coastal access debates and votes in Parliament on 26/27 October. The necessary clauses of the Marine and Coastal Access Bill were successfully guided through Parliament at 3rd reading and report stage. We now await the Bill's return to the Lords on 11 November, and look forward to celebrating the planned Royal Assent the day after. Look out for more news when that happens.
Defra Rights of Way Circular (1/09), Version 2
A revised version of Defra’s rights of way circular, Circular 1/09, has been published. It is available on the Defra website through the following link:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/documents/countryside/prow/rowcircular1-09.pdf
The principal reason for the update is the publication, by the Department of Communities and Local Government, of a new circular on costs, Circular 3/09, which supersedes Circular 8/93. As far as rights of way cases are concerned, Circular 3/09 will not change the procedure for costs applications and awards. The revised section of Circular 1/09 clarifies and confirms this, explains more about how the costs regime works, and provides examples of circumstances under which costs may be awarded.
Goodbye to Martin
After almost 3 years at the Ramblers, Martin Key is leaving to take up a new post at the Central Council for Physical Recreation. He will be dealing with policy related to recreational space, so we expect to stay in touch! We have already started the recruitment process to replace him.
