Walking in England 'threatened' by decline in condition of footpaths [01 June 2004]
The Ramblers' Association (RA) is launching its annual Footpaths Week, June 19 -
25, with a stark warning to Local Authorities in England that action and
investment are needed now to stop the nations' footpaths falling in disrepair.
The message comes at a time when official Government statistics on the condition
of the footpath network show a dramatic increase in the number of problems
walkers are likely to encounter.
Audit Commission figures on public rights of way in England show a dramatic 13%
leap in the number of problems recorded nationally, from 31% to 35% of rights of
way that are now difficult or impossible to use. While the statistic nationally
has got worse some authorities are making great steps to improve their footpath
network, Shropshire, Lincolnshire and Cornwall County Councils have all
recognised the importance of paths to communities and for tourism and have
increased their budgets to reflect that.
Footpaths Week 2004 is a national lobbying campaign by the RA's 142,000 members
to highlight the importance of footpaths to Local Authorities, who have
responsibility for maintaining rights of way within their area. Special events
will be held illustrating the problems - missing signposts, stiles, bridges and
gates, dangerous road crossings, ploughing and cropping of paths and deliberate obstructions.
An independent report commissioned by the RA shows that walkers contribute some
?6.14 billion to the rural economy annually, supporting 250,000 jobs. Easy to
follow and use footpaths attract people to walk them, and this is a vital first
step to encouraging people to take more regular exercise. The increasing neglect
of paths will undoubtedly drive people away from visiting the countryside and
have an impact on tourism and the nation's health.
Adrian Morris, Head of Footpath Campaigns at the RA, said, "These figures are a damning
indictment of the low priority that most councils put on their footpath network,
footpaths are a vital resource that councils are simply ignoring. At a
time when their economic importance is being fully recognised, and when
government is trying to encourage people to exercise more for health, it is
extraordinary that footpaths are becoming more difficult to use.
"Footpaths Week '04 is an opportunity for everyone who loves walking to
highlight the importance of paths to their local council."
Members of the public can sign an
online petition that will be sent to Local
Authorities arguing for a better deal for footpaths.
Photo: Ramblers' Association