Improve Local Footpaths

Why paths matter

Public paths are a unique part of our heritage and the single most important means of enjoying the countryside. Surveys show that walking in the countryside is the single most popular form of outdoor recreation and that people value paths as a resource to be cherished. Having a well cared for and publicised local path network improves the quality of our lives by giving us a chance to experience the fresh air and freedom of the countryside.

Providing opportunities for walking, cycling and horse riding, in preference to driving a car, also helps the environment by reducing pollution. Not only that, but bringing us in close contact with the countryside encourages a caring attitude to nature. Using paths also has important health benefits and best of all paths are completely free.

More about paths

In law a public path, or a public right of way, is your right to 'pass and re-pass over private land as part of your journey'. The 3000 km long path network in Durham is made up of three types of paths - footpaths, bridleways and byways - open to all traffic. Your rights on these paths are:

Footpaths - on foot only.
Bridleways - on foot, horseback and bicycle.
Byways - on foot, horseback, bicycle and in motorised vehicles.

You can also take:

A pram, pushchair or wheelchair if this is practicable.
Take a dog on a lead or under close control.

Our network of paths reflects centuries of past use. Paths were a way of getting from home to church, to work and to the market. Wear Valley for example, is criss-crossed with paths used by the lead miners.

Rights of way are legally recorded on the definitive rights of way map. If a path is shown on the definitive map this is legal, conclusive evidence of its existence and status.

Definitive maps are available for inspection at County Hall, district council offices and main libraries. Parish Councils also hold copies of the definitive map. As the map is being constantly modified, the copy held at County Hall is likely to be the most up-to-date.

The routes of paths are also shown on Ordnance Survey maps which you can buy at good book shops. 'Pathfinder' maps are the best for walking.

Once recorded on the definitive map public rights of way do not have to be walked every year to ensure they remain legally available. Also they can not be diverted or extinguished unless a legal order is made for which there is a lengthy consultation process.

The problem with paths

Unfortunately public rights of way have their problems. Today in County Durham, the county council is investigating literally thousands of path complaints, and these are just the problems that are known about. Most of these problems relate to:

Obstructions by fences or walls, etc.
Impenetrable natural vegetation.
Ploughed surfaces or growing crops.
Muddy, boggy or flooded paths.
Lack of signposting and waymarking.
Intimidation by owners or animals.

In 1996/97 the Countryside Section of the county council solved 1,474 path problems. The problem is that 1,475 complaints were also made in the same year and a further 2,712 unsolved cases were carried over from the previous year!

In "Recreation 2000", produced in 1989, central government set out its aim to ensure that:

'The entire rights of way network (is) legally defined, properly maintained and well publicised by the end of the century'.

In 1996 the county council produced its first "Milestones Statement" stating how it would work to get paths open and available. This identified the importance of local communities in improving paths.

How you can get involved

The county council runs two schemes which encourages people to get involved in looking after paths.

Durham Voluntary Countryside Ranger Service (DVCRS) gives individuals a chance to check the paths near their homes and to report any problems. An opportunity is also given to take part in working parties in the countryside and to lead and steward guided walks.
The Parish Paths Partnership (P3) provides grants to locally based community groups and parish councils to improve and promote the rights of way network in their area.

More about the Parish Paths Partnership (or P3)

This is open to all community groups, parish and town councils in County Durham.

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.

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. A grant of 100% is available for eligible physical works and 50% for promotional activities. Grants of 100% are also available to support volunteer groups.

Eligible physical works includes:

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.

Eligible promotional works includes:

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

Grants for volunteer activity can be provided for:

Insurance.
Administration costs.
Training.
Equipment.

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.

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. The address is at the bottom of this factsheet.

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 already have a group, or a parish sub-group, 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 to 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

Claiming 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 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 two self guided walk leaflets, (a further two 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 guidebook 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.

Contacts

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

Related Information

For more information on the Durham Voluntary Countryside Rangers Services (DVCRS).


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