The Ramblers' Association (RA) is launching its annual Footpaths Week, June 19 - 25, with a stark warning to Local Authorities that action and investment are needed now to stop the nations' footpaths falling into disrepair. The message comes at a time when official Assembly statistics on the condition of the footpath network show a dramatic increase in the number of problems walkers are likely to encounter.
National Assembly of Wales Performance Indicators on public rights of way in Wales show a dramatic 12% leap in the number of problems recorded nationally, from 50% to 56% of rights of way that are now difficult or impossible to use. The most recent figures highlight the chronic problem in several areas of the country: Carmarthenshire, with only one path in ten classified as easy to use, is the worst authority in the country, closely followed by Ceredigion with only 27% and even Pembrokeshire, which relies heavily on walking tourism, only has 34% of paths that qualify as easy to use.
Footpaths Week 2004 is a national lobbying campaign by the RA's membership 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 / most frequently missing signposts, stiles, bridges and gates, dangerous road crossings, ploughing and cropping of paths and deliberate obstructions.
Photo: Ramblers' Association
Walking currently contributes some £132 million to the economy of Wales, £55 million in rural areas, supporting approximately 3000 rural jobs. While this is not insignificant, there is a massive potential for growth in walking tourism; before this happens though Local Authorities need to take action to ensure paths can be used easily and the opportunities for walking are promoted properly.
Beverley Penney, Director of Ramblers Wales, said, "It is a damning indictment of the low priority that most councils put on their footpath network, that at a time when their economic importance is being fully recognised, and when government is trying to encourage people to exercise more for health, this wonderful resource is being neglected."
"What is most disappointing is that councils in some of our most attractive areas are effectively telling tourists to stay away, which can only be bad for the economy of Wales. We hope that Footpaths Week 2004 will highlight the issues sufficiently to change this dangerous trend."
Members of the public can sign an online petition that will be sent to Local Authorities arguing for a better deal for footpaths.
