Parish Paths Partnership

The Parish Paths Partnership, or P3 for short, is a unique way for local people to celebrate and care for paths in County Durham. P3 provides grants to locally based community groups and parish councils to improve and promote the rights of way network in their area.

Getting involved in the Parish Paths Partnership

The Parish Paths Partnership (P3) provides grants for works which improve and promote public paths. The overall aim of this grant is to make the local rights of way network open and available.

Grant of 100% are available for eligible physical works and for volunteer support and of 50% for promotional activities.

Physical Works

100% grants for eligible physical works include:

		Repairing or replacing stiles, pedestrian or equestrian gates
		Signposting and waymarking paths
		Clearing scrub and vegetation
		Carrying out surfacing, drainage and path stabilisation work
		Building steps
		Building bridges
		Installing simple benches

Grants cannot be provided where a sealed surface is sought and only 50% of works on field gates will be met. Works can be carried out by contractors, direct labour or volunteers.

Volunteer Support

100% grants for volunteer support can be provided for:

		Insurance
		Administration costs
		Training
		Equipment

An important part of P3 is the way in which officers from the County Council are available to help groups to improve paths. P3 recognises the importance of volunteers and seeks to develop their skills by providing opportunities for training.

The type of training provided includes; Surveying Paths, Drawing up Work Plans, Working with Contractors, Setting up a Voluntary Path Group, Map Reading, Building Stiles, Waymarking, Path Law, The Definitive Map, Safe Use of Tools, Health and Safety, First Aid, Designing Leaflets, etc.

Promotional Activities

50% eligible promotional activities include:

		Guided walks or other events
		Displays
		Parish Path Map boards
		Newsletters
		Leaflets

Improving Paths

A step by step approach.

1. Contact the P3 officer
They will send you a copy of the 'P3 Guidelines'. This gives you detailed information on how to improve and promote paths.

For more information about P3 contact the P3 Officer at the Countryside Section, Environment and Technical Services Department, Durham County Council, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5QU 0191 383 3355.

If you are interested in getting involved. the P3 Officer and the Rights of Way Officer will arrange to speak to your parish or group. If you don't have a group, or a parish sub-group already, the Officers can give you advice in setting one up.

2. Encourage local involvement
Involving the wider local community is rewarding and makes the best use of local knowledge. It also helps to share the workload and can be sociable and fun too. (Any costs incurred in holding public meetings or other events and in producing publicity material can be reclaimed through P3.)

3. Carry out a survey of local paths
It is important to survey paths for the following reasons:

To become familiar with local paths (you may find some paths you didn't know you had)

To find out what problems exist

To identify the most appropriate paths for improvement or promotion

You will need to survey paths with a view of using the information to carry out practical improvement works.

In surveying paths you will need to make a record of the presence and condition of signposts, waymarks, stiles and gates and of the surface condition of paths. You will need to make a note of obstructions and to summarise the general condition of the paths. (Forms and training can be provided to help you to survey paths.) Taking photographs is also helpful as you can use these as a reminder of the problem and to use when discussing works with others. It is also a good 'before' record.

4. Draw up a work plan
This identifies what work needs doing and who will do it. If the survey throws up a lot of problems you might need to do the work in phases. Start with the easy work first. Decide if you want a contractor to do the job or if you want to do it yourself. Again, officers from the county council will be available to advise you on this.

5. Speak to the local landowners
You must obtain the consent of the landowner before carrying out any works on their land. This is especially where the work is actually something for which they will remain legally responsible e.g. stiles.

Unfortunately consulting landowners is often seen as being difficult because it takes time and because a minority of landowners create 'bad press' in their relations with walkers. It is very rare for parishes or groups to receive adverse reactions from farmers, especially when they can see that local people want to use and care for rights of way. This is one of the main advantages about the P3 approach to improving paths. Some groups call a meeting with farmers and landowners to discuss possible P3 works.

6. Submit a P3 application form
Detailing the funding you require to complete your project. Wait for written authorisation before starting work.

7. Do the work
If you are doing the work yourself then P3 can provide you with training, materials, tools and insurance. If you are supervising volunteers you need to take particular care with regard to their safety and welfare.

8. Tell everyone about it
Don't forget to publicise your work. This lets people know which paths are now available. It also builds support locally for future works and encourages volunteers to get involved. Supporters are also happy about seeing their name in print. This advertises the project to others and encourages further support for the project from the decision makers.

9. Submit your P3 claim form
Claim your grant. In most circumstances the grant can be paid within 2 weeks. If you have a problem being paid retrospectively then the grant may be paid up front.

10. Celebrate!
Don't forget to pat yourself on the back for all of your hard work.

Local Case Study

Wolsingham Wayfarers
Wolsingham Wayfarers was founded in 1992 with the support of Wolsingham Parish Council. The aim of the group was to survey, repair and to care for the 155 paths in the parish. From the start the Wayfarers realised how important it was to work in partnership with local farmers and landowners.

The Wayfarers are an open organisation and any member of the public can come to their monthly meeting and contribute to their work.

The Wayfarers contribution to the improvement of the local path network has been substantial. Listed below are examples of the group's achievements:

Surveying the 155 paths in the parish, followed up by additional surveys e.g. in relation to signposting.

Carrying out a significant waymarking scheme.

Liaising with landowners to sort out problems with obstructions etc.

Carrying out countless repairs to stiles and gates. Installing signs, steps and bridges either though volunteer working parties or by organising the Parish Council's workforce.

Producing 2 self guided walk leaflets, (a further 2 are currently in production).

Installing a Parish Paths Map in the Market Place showing all rights of way.

Holding a guided walk once a month.

Displaying annually at Wolsingham Show.

Commissioning a design and feasibility study, using civil engineering students, to look at the possibility of building a new pedestrian bridge across the Wear.

Offering advice to other groups wanting to start a voluntary path group.

Acting as consultants to a guide book writer.

The Wayfarers are currently working on an ambitious project to provide a 'Family Walk' which will give easy access for people with disabilities. To secure funding for the project the Wayfarers became a Charitable Trust and recently started work on the Walk.

The Wayfarers recognise that there is still much to be done to improve local paths but their enthusiasm and varied skills will ensure continued success in the 21st century.

For more information, contact the P3 Officer at the Countryside Section, Environment and Technical Services Department, Durham County Council, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5QU. Telephone 0191 383 3355.

Back to Environmental Projects.


Home \| What's New \| Contact Us \| Site Map \| A-Z \| FAQs \| Accessibility \| Text Only \| Useful Links \| Help