The paths, tracks and alleys that form England and Wales' rights of way network have developed over thousands of years, from any place that people ever lived, to anywhere that people ever went - for farming, trade, pilgrimage and recreation.
An anthropological inscription on the landscape, telling how ordinary people over the centuries have lived their lives, today the value of the network lies not only in its living history, but in its huge potential to offer socioeconomic, health and environmental benefits - much of which has yet to be fully exploited.
A 2003 study, The Economic and Social Value of Walking in England, found that walkers spend more than £6 billion pounds on the 527 million trips they take annally, supporting 180,000 full time equivalent jobs. But sadly, for all it's potential, too much of the network is difficult to use; on average a walker will find an impassable obstruction every 2km.
Our booklet, Outdoor Access for Walkers, is evidence-based resource for local authority decision makers which makes the case for investment in rights of way.
Information about how local councils can get involved in improving rights of way can be found in our leaflet, Paths for People.
