Oxfordshire Rights of Way Management Plan 2015-2025

Foreword

Oxfordshire’s urban and rural rights of way, the Thames Path and The Ridgeway National Trails, contribute to it being an outstanding place in which to live, work and visit.

These routes provide significant economic, health and well-being and environmental benefits. Economic benefits arise from the desire of people wanting to, visit, live and work in an area with such wonderful access to such beautiful countryside. Health and well-being benefits come from walking, riding and the many ways to actively enjoy the countryside as well as being able to connect with the natural environment. Environmental benefits come from attractive alternatives to encourage walking or cycling instead of using cars for short and longer journeys and therefore reducing congestion. Paths between fields, alongside hedgerows and watercourses, and along sunken lanes offer superb opportunities to protect and enhance wildlife and habitats. Many routes are also ancient highways that by themselves are evidence of times past and some give access to historic and prehistoric sites. All routes and green spaces in towns and countryside are part of the continually evolving cultural landscape of Oxfordshire.

In line with the rest of the country, the County Council will face a challenging financial position over the life of this plan. With a clear vision in the form of a Rights of Way Management Plan the authority will be better placed to seek additional funding opportunities as and when they become available and enable innovative methods in the delivery of services to ensure that the Rights of Way meet the needs of their users as far as practicable.

Despite this we will aim to manage the public rights of way and countryside access network effectively and efficiently, working with communities, farmers, landowners, partner organisations, volunteers and users. We will also try to improve the connections, responsible use, and economic benefits of the network and help adapt it to limit the impacts of climate change, and address the changing needs and demands of users, non-users and landowners.

Councillor David Nimmo Smith Cabinet Member for Environment Oxfordshire County Council

Contents

Introduction 1 Achievements of the original Rights of Way Improvement Plan from 2006 2

Section 1 - Assessment of Need Cross-cutting policies and strategies with the Rights of Way Management Plan (RoWMP) 4 i. The RoWMP and the OCC Corporate Plan 5 ii. The RoWMP and the Local Transport Plan 6 iii. The RoWIP and health and well-being 7 iv. The RoWMP, population and demographic issues 9 v. Economic benefits of countryside access 10 vi. RoWIP, Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity 12 The extent of local rights of way and other access resources 14

Users’ needs and demands 20

The accessibility of local rights and natural green spaces to blind or partially sighted persons and others with mobility problems 21

Measuring how available the public rights of way network is in Oxfordshire 23

Section 2 - Statement of Action

Statement of Action – maintaining and improving public rights of way 26 through the Rights of Way Management Plan Rights of Way Management Framework 27 Duties, rights, powers and responsibilities in countryside access and public 29 rights of way i. Definitive Map & Statement 31 ii. Countryside Access Management 33

iii. Countryside Access and the development planning process 36 iv. The current and future role that existing key organisations play in 38 countryside access v. Local communities, neighbourhoods and volunteer participation v1 – Local councils and community groups 41 v2 – Parish Path Wardens 44 v3 – Groups undertaking practical work 46

Summary 48 Bibliography 48 Glossary of terms 49 Appendices A: Public Rights of Way connectivity assessments 52 B: Area Countryside Access development maps 58

Cover photos clockwise from top left: Chiltern Society Volunteers (Howard Dell), Runner at Marston (OCC), Horseriders (OCC), Kite flying (P.Harris), Clearance (OCC), Cyclists (Chilterns AONB), Mother and toddler (P. Harris), Swyncombe Down access for all (Chilterns AONB), Enjoying the view (Chilterns AONB)

Introduction This document is the second statutory Rights network in Oxfordshire undertaken for the first of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP) for RoWIP, including some of the network Oxfordshire. RoWIPs set out the vision for mapping undertaken as part of the managing and improving access, mainly on implementation of the ffirst RoWIP. the public rights of way network. The second section is the Statement of Public rights of way are valuable assets for Action, that introducess and sets out what the current and future generations. They are used authority will aim to doo over the life of the plan by countless Oxfordshire residents and visitors for many different sports, pastimes and physical activities, mostly based around walking, cycling or horse-riding, which take place on thhe network. Oxfordshire’s countryside, urban and rural rights of way and landscape, including the Thames Path annd The Ridgeway National Trails, contribute to it being an outstanding place in which to live, work and visit.

This iteration of the plan has been called tthe Rights of Way Management Plan (RoWMP) to bring more weight and focus to the management of the existing public rights of way network whilst continuing to identify and Access for all on the Swan’s Way at Swyncombe Down seek opportunities for improvements. The (Chilterns Conservation Board ) plan mainly covers rural and urban public rights of way as OCC is the main authority to secure better management and responsible for these. Other accessible improvement of the coountryside access natural green spaces and routes are touched network in Oxfordshire. The overall vision on in the pllan as they form part of the total and aims are set out, ttogether with sections access resource and are of value to the on the Definitive Map and Statement as well public regardless of which organisation as Countryside Access Management. A new manages them. ‘Rights of Way Manageement Framework’ is provided that summariises the main areas of Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) is required responsibility and howw this may change oveer to produce a RoWIP under s60 of the the life of the plan. Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. This plan is one of the ‘daughtere ’ documents The Appendices contain the maps of the of the Local Transport Plan (LTP). The LTP network connectivity mapping as well as the sets out the County Council’s vision for roads aspirational access improvements in the and transport. areas likely to have significant levels of housing growth. The first section forms the Assessment of Need, and after looking back at the Contact details for the Countryside Access achievements of the first RoWIP, sets the Team are provided at tthe end of the main RoWMP within the policy framework and document. shows how the RoWMP helps meet the aims of some of the most relevant strategy themes. It then provides a relatively light touch update to the background and analysis of the countryside access and public rights of way

Achievements of the original Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP) The first RoWIP and each of the annual and nine out of ten had used public rights of delivery action plans focused on achieving way better provision and improvements over and • A high value is placed on Oxfordshire’s above the ‘day to day’ work of recording, countryside - nearly all respondents protecting, and maintaining the public rights of rated it as either very important or quite way and access land network. Despite the important impacts of cuts, partners and volunteers groups managed to achieve a significant • There were reasonable levels of spend when amount sinnce 2006 to meet access, transport, people are out and about, mainly on food health and community needs. and drink frrom pubs, cafes and shops • There were reasonabbly good levels of  Good value for money satisfaction with all aspects of the provision Oxfordshire County Council provides good and management of access value for residents in maintaining the 4,200km This new plan will aim to continue to (2,600 miles) of public rights of way. In monitor use and satiissfaction levels and 2013/14 maintenance budgets averaged just use these to try and iimprove services. £26/km. This is compared with an average cost of £82/km of a sample of county councils  Significant community involvement & and county unitary authorities with PRoWW external funding for access projects networks between 3,100km and 9,200km1.These budgets have been Over sixty communities and groups across the supplemented by attracting other funding to county were able to meet local needs and supplement core budgets. As a result make practical improvements to access on customer satisfaction remains very high when their local rights of way and greenspace areas compared to the same authorities. This new for walkers, cyclist and equestrians. By plan aims to continue to achieve as much partnering with the Trust for Oxfordshire’s as possible with the available budget. Environment and using Landfill Community Funds from Grundon, Viridor and the Waste  High levels of use and satit sfaction Recycling Group, over £300,000 of additional with the rights of way network external funds were secured, plus cash and volunteer contributions from communities. The National Highways and Transport This new plan aims to build on that work Network Survey is an annual postal survey and improve support for local people to which collects public perspectives on, and improve their areas. satisfaction with, highways and transportation services in local authority areas. This includes  Extensive practiccal work by the key questions on public rights of way. In 2014 and volunteer access groups out of 22 comparator county councils, Oxfordshire came 2nd for signposting, 6th for In Oxfordshire, two key self-managing satisfaction with aspects of rights of way, 6th volunteer groups, the South Chilterns Paths for condition of footpaths and bridleways, and Maintenance Volunteers and the Cotswolds 5th for information about rights of way (NHT, Voluntary Warden Serrvvice, have worked 2014). tirelessly over many years to improve their local areas, in close liaison and partnership Every two years OCC has undertaken with OCC rights of way officers. They have research about access using a Residents installed gates, cleared routes and improved Panel or online consultation facility The survey 2 signing and overall amenity on many paths. in 2012 showed that of the 600 respondents: Other groups have also undertaken much • Nearly all respondents had used the work over the years. This new plan aims to countryside for leisure in the last 12 months maintain support for existing groups and

encourage other groups to become just as The first RoWIP provided the basis to effective. neegotiate mitigation and improvement coountryside access measures with major  National award winning residential, commercial, and minerals/waste deevelopments across tthe county which will be In 2009, Oxfordshire County Council won the immplemented over the next few years. These ‘MMost Innovative and Enterprising RoWIP’ include sites at Barton, Ardley, RAF Upper award at the national RoWIP awards run by Heeyford, Wallingford, Bicester, Witney, Natural England. Faaringdon and Grove. The new plan aims to coontinue to mitigate tthe impacts of  More involvement in access deevelopment and secure access provision. planning at the community level  Improved awareness, understanding A large number of local communities have and appreciation of access matters3 produced “CCommunity-Led Plans”, and more are developing statutory Neighbourhood Thhe RoWIP helped steer improvements to Plans. Access and rights of way often feaature awwareness and understanding by making the inn them and reflect the value of these routes weebsite better, including development of the foor local journeys and contributions to their interactive countryside map and the online health and quality of life. These community reporting tool, making all walking leaflets plans help galvanise local action and are doownloadable and puttting the definitive map useful in the development planning processs. annd statement online. The RoWIP enabled Many local communities and organisationns beetter understanding across the authority and also undertake work to protect, maintain, in partner organisationns of how public rights of immprove and promote the routes and areas waay and access to thee countryside can that are important to them. This new plan coontribute to better quality of life for residents aims to continue to support local annd visitors – including running regular communic tities and organisations. residents’ surveys andd making sure the Seervice’s work remains relevant and of value  Increassed joint workingw with Roads to Oxfordshire’s residents and visitors. The & Highways using external funding neew plan aims to improve understanding annd support other orgrganisations to provide The RoWIP provided a framework to improve information and promote access. understandu ding about the needs of vulnerable users of the rights of way and roads netwoork, especially in the more rural areas. A road Overall, the Rights of Way verge linking route at Ducklington used Management Pllan aims to build highway land to create a safer margin from a bridleway to a minor road. This used the on the significant successes and expertise of OCC’s Highways Team but was experiences of the first RoWIP. able to acccess external funding. A number of loocal communities benefited from some viillage paths being asphalted to bring them to a condition that matched local needs. This plan aims to reinforce the opportunities for rights of way to form part of day to day journeys on foot and by bicycle and foor consideratc tion of the needs of equestrians, cyclists and walkers on the roads network.

 Secured access provision from develoopments

Cross cutting policies and strategies with the Rights of Way Management Plan (RoWMP) This section forms the Assessment of Need, public rights of way network in Oxfordshire and sets the RoWMP within the policy undertaken for the first RoWIP. framework and shows how the RoWMP helps Figure 1 highlights the key areas that meet the aims of some of the strategy themes influence and are influenced by the RoWMP. that are most relevant to it. It then provides a Arrows indicate main influence direction. Each relatively light touch update to the background theme is then expanded on in the rest of this and analysis of the countryside access and section.

Fig 1: RoWIP influence areas and outline structure

i. OCC Corporate Plan Users' needs ii. OCC Local and Transport demands Plan

Rights of The extent of Way iii. Health & the access Wellbeing network Managment Plan

iv. vi. Green Population & Infrastructure demographic & biodiversity issues v. Economic Benefits

Bi-Annual Assessment Statement delivery of Need of Action plan

i. The RoWMP and the Oxfordshire County Council Corporate Plan Oxfordshire County Council’s overall ambition benefit of all in order to help the people in is to deliver ‘A Thriving Oxfordshire’ through Oxfordshire to live healthier and happier lives. its Corporate Plan 2014-2018: “Our ambition is for a county where local Countryside access and rights of way benefit residents and businesses can flourish – a physical, mental and social wellbeing. Access Thriving Oxfordshire..” to green space, through well planned and properly linked walking and cycling routes, The Corporate Plan has three strategic enables people to choose healthy lifestyles, objectives and the RoWMP helps meet all and improve mental health and wellbeing. three: In a county with an increasingly ageing Strategic Objective: A Thriving Economy Oxfordshire’s countryside, urban and rural population and large differences in income rights of way and landscape contribute to it levels, some areas of deprivation and being an outstanding place in which to live, inequality exist. Countryside access and work and visit. Many visitors, businesses and opportunities for walking can improve people’s residents choose Oxfordshire because of the quality of life and this is a freely available quality of this environment. activity. The public rights of way network is a part of the Oxfordshire living landscape and Access to this landscape using the the network forms part of people’s day to day countryside access network provides lives – whether when walking their dog, significant economic, health and well-being exploring their local area or somewhere new, and environmental benefits. Economic or going for a family walk or ride. The more benefits come directly from spending on connected and easier to use a network is then goods and services in the local area when the more people will choose to use it and gain people are on walks, cycles and horse-rides, the health and social benefits. and whilst people are staying in local Strategic Objective: A Safety Net accommodation. Properties in close proximity The public rights of way network is freely to green spaces can be more attractive to available, subject to the provisions of the purchasers resulting in increased values or various legislation. The network has speed of purchase. Improving the developed historically and may not always be environment and access around workplaces suitable for modern use. Stiles and other can increase active commuting on foot and by features on public rights of way can restrict bicycle, and give opportunities for healthy and and sometimes even prohibit access for some stimulating lunchtime activities. users, in particular the disabled, mobility Strategic Objective: Thriving People and impaired, visually impaired, the elderly and the Communities very young could be at a particular The use of the countryside access network disadvantage. The County Council will work has a valuable role to play in the with others to limit restrictions and encourage physical and mental health of the people of responsible access and try to manage and Oxfordshire. The Rights of Way Management improve the network to meet current and Plan aims to maintain and improve public future needs and provide more equitable access and open-air recreation, including access to services. walking, cycling and horse-riding, for the

ii. The RoWMP and the Local Transport Plan The Rights of Way Management Plan is a • Strategic Objective 4: Maintain and ‘daughter’ document to the Local Transport improve transport connections to Plan for Oxfordshire (LTP) – which sets out support economicc growth and vitality the strategy for delivering nationally set across the county - A well-maintained priorities for transport. local rights of way network can form part of a journey to neighbourhood services like The five transport goals of the emerging schools, surgeries, bbus stops, green “Connecting Oxfordshire: Local Transport Plan spaces, railway stattions and shops for 2015-2031” are: residents and visitors. 1. To support jobs and housing growth and economic vitality across Oxfordshire 2. To support the transition to a low carbon future 3. To support social inclusion and equality of opportunity. 4. To protect, and where possible enhance Oxfordshire’s environment and improve quality of life 5. To improve public health, safety and individual wellbeing The RoWMP forms an intrinsic part of all oof these goals and can help meet five of the LTP’s strategic objectives in the following ways: • Strategic Objective 10: Improve public Walkers and horseriders sharing minor road to the health and wellbeing by increasing leveels White Horse (OCC) of walkingg and cycling, reducing transport • Strategic Objective 5: Influence the emissions, reducing casualties, and location and layout of development to enabling inclusive access to jobs, maximise the use aand value of existing education and services - This is the key and planned sustainable transport strategic link between the two plans. Walkers, investment - New sites can benefit from cyclists and equestrians are all vulnerable being integrated witth the internal and road users and may be affected by vehicle surrounding public rights of way in ways speed, frequency and driver behaviour. These that allow the continued and increased use factors should be addressed as part of the of the routes as partt of a wider network and LTP. The rights of way and countryside to meeting shared sustainable transport, access network is free to use and plays an healthy living and healthy environment important role in giving opportunities for goals. physical activity for walkers, cyclists and • equestrians. Strategic Objective 9: Mitigate and wherever possiblee enhance the impacts • Strategic Objective 3: Reduce the propoortion of transport on the local built and of journeyys made by private car by making natural environment - Modal shift away the use of public transport, walking and from cars helps reduce carbon emissions cycling more attractive - A good local rights and provides healthhy living benefits. The of way network in urban areas can provide availability of off-road networks can reduce attractive alternatives to car use for short to some conflicts with motorised vehicles and medium local journeys to work, school and increasing the amount of traffic free routes local facilities, and for longer recreational trips, for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, especially at weekends. Often this can tie into especially families, ccan help build public transport provision. confidence and levels of activity. 6

iii. The RoWMP, health and wellbeing The use of the rights of way and countryside are those that can be iincorporated into access network has a valuable role to play in everyday life. Recreatiional walking, trips to the the physical and mental health of the peoplle countryside, walking and cycling to work, and of Oxfordshire. The Rights of Way active volunteering can all contribute to the Management Plan aims to maintain and where recommended levels of moderate physical possible improve public access and open-air activity. recreation, including walking, cycling and horse-riding, in order to help the people in Oxfordshire to live healthier and happier lives.

What are the benefits of physical activity? Physical activity improves both mental and physical health. Getting out and about in the countryside is an enjoyable, sustainable way to improve general mental and physical fitness. In addition, access to the natural environment is important to people and promotes a feeling of wellbeing.

Being physically active can reduce the risk of premature death by 20-30%, and the chance of developing major chronic diseases by up to 50%. In older people it helps promote Runner and cyclist on footpath and cycle track in Marston (OCC) independence and reduces the likelihood of fall related injuries. Nationally the levels of Physical activity and acccess to the countryside physical activity are declining. The white paper The link between easy access to the published in 2004 ‘Choosing Health, Making countryside and the uptake and continuation Healthy Choices Easier’ identifies that over a of physical activity has been well documented. third of people are not active enough to benefit The Royal Society for tthe Protection of Birds their health. Increased physical activity does report ‘Natural Fit, Can Green Space and not just have benefits to physical health. The Biodiversity Increase Levels of Physical mental health charity MIND reports that Activity?’ states that ‘The countryside can be regular physical activity can make people feel seen as a great outpattient department whose better about themselves. It helps relieve therapeutic value is yet to be fully realised.’ depression and anxiety, reduces stress and increases feelings of well-being. Oxfordshire County Council can play an important role in this aggenda particularly in What are the recommended levels of physical encouraging physical activity and wellbeing. activity? The countryside access network offers It has now been clearly defined that for enormous potential to deliver public health general health benefit, adults should aim to benefits and improve outcomes at a local level achieve ‘a total of at least 30 minutes a day of by: at least moderate intensity physical activity on • Maintaining and extending accessible five or more days of the week.’ Any type of public rights of way and green space physical activity can contribute to the daily areas to provide healthier green target and a moderate intensity level of landscapes. physical activity is defined as ‘all types of • physical activity that makes your breathing Ensure access to up to date and relevant and heartbeat faster and you feel warmer.’ information about tthe public rights of way network. For most people, the easiest and most acceptable forms of physical activity 7

• Supporting and enabling community and and improve the Oxfordshire countryside volunteer involvement in practical access access and public righhts of way network at the initiatives same time as improving their levels of physical What type of activity takes place in activity, They also share time and a sense of Oxfordshire? achievement with like-minded people. Some The Oxfordshire countryside access and of these run independently and some are public rights of way network is used by huge facilitated through expeerienced project numbers of people for many different sportts leaders. and physical activities based around walking, cycling or horse-riding, Figure 2. These range The very first ‘Green Gym’ was set up in from geocaching and Duke of Edinburgh Sonning Common in 1998 and most of them Award training to cross-country running and are now independently run by local people in cycling; and from using the structures found the areas where they are based. The scheme on paths as an outside gym to Nordic walkiing inspires people to improve both their health using assistance poles. A large number of led and guided walks are undertaken by the Ramblers and other walking groups for existing members and to encourage less confident people to access the countrysidee.

Fig 2: Some activities that take place on public rights of way: Dog walking, walking and riding to work, school and local facilities, keeping fit, training for events, farming, single track mountain biking, guided and led walks, hacking, charity and sponsored events, family walks and rides, national curriculum, outside gym, keeping horses fit, kite-flying, picnicking, health walks and rides, reading, Nordic walking, ornithology, night walks and rides, Volunteers installing gate ( Howard Dell) sharing time with friends & family, cani-cross, tourists exploring, voluntary practical activities, and the environment at the same time - Duke of Edinburgh Award, cross-country running, experienced leaders guide people through a rock climbing, geocaching, stargazing, botany, range of practical projects, giving them the peeace & quiet, den building, enjoying the views, opportunity to tackle phhysical jobs in the meeting new people, writing, photography & paainting, counntry pub trails, music, observing outdoors. This improves their strength and wildlife, food gathering, orienteering…… stamina, boosts their practical skills and confidence and benefitts their local green Many people choose to volunteer with spaces. organised groups such as the Ridgeway and Thames Path National Trails, the Green Gym, All of these factors have direct and indirect Cotswolds Wardens, Chilterns Society, British economic benefits for tthe individual, the wider Horo se Society, Trail Riders Fellowship and the poopulation, and the heealth authority

Ramblers, as well as many other local community and neighbourhood groups. These groups undertake physical work to maintain

iv. The RoWMP, population and demographic issues Oxfordshire has a 2011 Census population physically strong riders in the provision and estimate of 6653,800 and this is projected to management of access, especially bridleway rise by 90,0000 by 2026, with up to 100,000 gate installation and maiintenance. new homes built by 2031 (OCC, 2014). Thhe Vale of White Horse, West Oxfordshire, and South Oxfordshire are projected to have the greatest proportion of this increase whilst Oxford City and Cherwell districts have smaller proportions of growth.

Overall, the proportion of older people is increasing with 16% of the population over 65 – but this is slightly less than the rest of the south east region at 17.3%. The age profile changes indicate that more needs to be done to consider the needs of an ageing population in rural areas so that they can Mother and toddler enjoying the countryside (P. Harris) continue to aaccess and enjoy the benefits oof the countryside access network. Many of these users require additional provision over and above the authority’s From the 2011 Census, in Oxfordshire statutory duty in order to make the 594,000 people (90.9%) were White and countryside accessible and enjoyable to 59,800 Non-White (9.1%).The greatest them. This provision is actively sought by number of non-white people were rights of way officers butt is dependent on Assian/Asiann British broad ethnic group (4.8% funds being available, and relies on the of the total population. From 2001–11 therre goodwill and cooperation of land managers. was a population increase of 48,300 (8.0%) Under the Equalities Actt 2010, the County (ONS, 2011). This increasing proportion Council has a responsibiility to make sure presents an opportunity to increase access that policies and practices do not unfairly and participaation in countryside access prejudice people with protected amongst non-white ethnic groups. characteristics. See the sseparate Service and Community Impact Assessment. There are around 20,200 ‘Blue Badge’ parking permit holders in the county (DfT More than half of all counntryside visits are 2012). This gives an indication of the need undertaken by dog-walkers (Natural England to provide for users with disabilities on the 2014) and dog ownership provides many public rights of way network. In addition health and social benefitts. However, in there are innumerable parents and urban and urban fringe areas work also guardians with children in pushchairs, plus needs to be done to infoorm and educate people simply a bit less agile. Replacing some dog-owners so there are less potential stiles with gates is often the simplest step tto impacts with farming or biodiversity. In increasing the accessibility of rights of way. places it may be appropriate to make it easier and safer to accesss less vulnerable On horseback, the most recent National areas of countryside and green spaces. It is Equestrian Survey (2010-11) found that off estimated that 24% of households own a the 3.5 million people have ridden a horse at dog in 2014. In the south-east region the least once in the past 12 months, 8% of estimate is 22% dog ownership (PTMA, riders considered themselves disabled in 2014). This amount of dog ownership should some way. A quarter of all GB riders are be an important considerration in access under 16 years old (BHS, 2013). This management and planning. indicates a need to provide for less 9

v.. Economic benefits of countryside access and levels of use Oxfordshire’s countryside, paths and • 27% of visits involved any expenditure landscape, and the way that farmers and £27 was the average spend on those manage it, contribute to it being an attractivve visits. Of that spend, 37% was spent in annd outstanding place in which to live, work thhe countryside, geneerating £7.9 billion annd visit. with over half the money on each visit being spent on food and drink. Thhe economy is assisted by spending on • T he mean amount of money spent per gooods and services in the local area when visit was £5.92 in Oxfordshire peeople are on walks and rides. This includees Spending by people using the countrysiden visitors who are attracted to the area to helps towards keeping local services viable make use of the countryside. Environmental and rural tourism is an important source of beenefits come from the impacts of choosinng income for many local businesses. too walk or ride instead of using cars for short annd longer journeys. Many routes also The Foot and Mouth outbbreak of 2001 prrovide ecological benefits as green demonstrated the levels of day-to-day use of coorridors allowing movement of wildlife and the rights of way network and the value of thhe provision of a linear habitat that is an that access. It also showed the negative intrinsic part of the Oxfordshire landscape.. impact that the closure of access can have

on tourists, local businesses and local A well-maintained and connected public communities. rights of way network, with information and immprovements that meet the needs of users annd potential users, offers almost unlimited pootential for residents and visitors to enjoy all of Oxfordshire’s countryside and landscape on foot, by bicycle and on hoorseback.

OCC is proud to have hosted the Thames Paath and The Ridgeway National Trails Teeam for over 20 years, and recognises the loocal, national and international value of thhese two routes from a tourism perspective ass well as their exceptional management annd use of a dedicated group of volunteers.

Thhe national Monitoring Engagement with The Chilterns Cycleway benefitts the local economy with a thhe Natural Environment (MENE) survey has high quality product (Chilterns Conservation Board) beeen carried out for since 2009. The 20012/13 full year annual report identified thhat: In terms of the levels of use of the • Nearly 2.9 billion visits were made to countrn yside access network, the MENE English countryside, coast and open survey found that: spaces last year - around 65 visits per • V olumes of visits to paths, cycleways and adult. bridleways have increased by 20 per cent • An estimated £21 billion was spent each since 2010/11 year during visits to the natural • 68% of visits were to pplaces within two environment that includes countryside, miles of the respondeent’s home greenspace in towns and cities, the coaast • 93% of the population agreed that having and seaside resorts and towns. open green spaces cloose to where they live is important and 86% agreed that 10

spending time out of doors was an Implications: Exercising the dog and deliberately important part of their life. using green spaces for health and exercise show • 54% of people visit the natural the direct benefits of the countryside access environment more than once a week, and network for many people. only 16% visit the natural environment Table 4: Reason for not visiting the natural twice or less a year environment more often England Oxford- Table 1: Types of natural environment used % Shire % England Oxford- Too busy at home 18 15 (%) shire (%) Too busy at work 26 13 Path/cycleway/ 14 21 Poor health 14 28 bridleway Old age 12 21 Park in a town/ city 23 18 Physical disability 8 13 Another open space in 12 18 Not being interested 6 17 the countryside Lack of public transport 0 0 A village 7 18 Lack of suitable places or 0 0 Farmland 8 12 paths Woodland 12 9 Lack of information 0 0 River/lake/canal 9 6 (All source MENE survey 11/12 Natural England) Implications: This demonstrates that people enjoy the variety of natural environment that Implications: It is important to have good quality Oxfordshire has to offer. Linear routes and all and easily accessible green spaces close to public greenspace areas are well used, as are where people live and that people know about small rural villages and farmland. them and feel confident using them. The aim is that making better provision and finding ways to Table 2: Distance people travel to enjoy nature help with accessing green spaces (in company and method of travel to get there or independently) helps overcome a person's England Oxford- perception that he/she is 'too old' or 'too ill' to be (%) shire (%) able to access and enjoy the outdoors. At work Less than 1 mile 41 51 taking a ‘walking lunch’ break in a natural space 1-2 miles 26 21 can often allow creative thoughts to flow and stress levels to reduce. 3-5 miles 15 14 England Oxford- Oxfordshire’s Countryside Access Team has (%) shire (%) undertaken web-based surveys of On foot 63 70 Oxfordshire residents every two years and Car/van 30 21 results are at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/rowip. In Bicycle 3 5 terms of use and spending the survey found Implications: An accessible natural environment that a high proportion of people use the close to where people live or work is especially countryside and public rights of way with important in Oxfordshire. People tend to walk to nearly all respondents using the countryside where they want to go when visiting the natural for leisure in the preceding year. environment, even more so in Oxfordshire. The Oxfordshire survey identified that Table 3: Top 3 motivations for people to access people regularly spend money whilst out and natural spaces about in the countryside. The spend is England Oxford- mostly on food and drink, whether % shire % refreshments eaten in at pubs and cafes or Exercise the dog 48 48 bought from local shops. Higher spending For health/exercise 36 30 rates are noticeable for food at a pub. Higher For fresh air/to enjoy the 18 23 pleasant weather value spends are also made on cycle, walking or riding equipment.

vi. The RoWMP, Green Infrastructure and biodiversity Green Infrastructure (GI) in the context of • Business expansion or start-up on the countryside access, includes publicly back of increased visitor spending accessible parks, open spaces, playing • Improving the physical and mental fields, woodlands, wetlands, grasslands, health of the population leading to river and canal corridors, public rights of increased productivity and reduced way, unsurfaced roads, archaeological and medical expenditure historic sites, cemeteries and public • Providing an appreciable contribution, at gardens. It needs to be planned and lower cost than would be possible delivered at all spatial scales from national through grey infrastructure, to to neighbourhood levels. The greatest environmental management, such as benefits will be gained when it is designed alleviation of urban heat island effects, and managed as a multifunctional resource carbon sequestration, improved air capable of delivering a wide range of quality and reduction of flood risks environmental and quality of life benefits for • local communities. Increase in disposable household income or business surpluses due to Why is Green Infrastructure important? cost savings or lower taxation as a Green Infrastructure can provide many result of environmental and health gains social, economic and environmental benefits • Growth in direct and indirect close to where people live and work employment from provision, including: maintenance and associated services • Space and habitat for wildlife with • access to nature for people Local multiplier effects of increased income and spending • Places for outdoor relaxation and play (Defra, 2011) • Climate change adaptation - for example flood alleviation and cooling Oxfordshire County Council is leading on urban heat islands the production of a county-wide strategic • Environmental education Green Infrastructure study and the aims of • Local food production - in allotments, the RoWMP will be an intrinsic part of this. gardens and through agriculture The district councils have produced linked • Improved health and well-being – plans such as the Oxford Green Spaces lowering stress levels and providing Strategy 2013-2027 and the RoWMP ties in opportunities for exercise to these too.

Green Infrastructure and economic Biodiversity growth Oxfordshire County Council can play an Literature and case studies across the world important role in species and habitat show that investment in green infrastructure protection and enhancement through the can act as a catalyst to local economic management of the Rights of Way network. growth of an area through: The Natural Environment White Paper • Increased investment in the built (DEFRA 2011), the “biodiversity duty” of the environment in the surrounding area NERC Act 2006, and “Oxfordshire 2030” - • Attracting businesses and residents to the Sustainable Community Strategy for the area through increasing its Oxfordshire all give clear signals to the need attractiveness for every opportunity to be taken for biodiversity enhancement. • New developments contributing to increased local taxation revenue The public rights of way network already • Increased number of visitors coming to makes a very significant contribution to the and spending in the area “coherent ecological networks” referred to in

the Natural Environment White Paper, but it Examples of practice and advice given could provide an even greater contribution. include: The vegetation along many public rights of • undertaking protecteed species surveys way plays a critical role in linking larger when planning works areas of sppecies-rich semi-natural habitat, • Timetabling maintenance activities to such as woodlands, lowland meadows annd avoid or minimise harm and disturbance calcareous grassland. Of particular to species and habittats, for example importance are the paths between fields, when planning heavy clearances alongside hedgerows, sunken lanes and • Working closely with ecological green lanes, many of which support a colleagues for speccialist advice wealth of biodiversity and well as the abillity • Obtaining appropriate activity licences, to appreciate our cultural heritage. for example to addrress badger damage causing danger on rights of way The County Council will try to ensure thaat, • working with planners and developers to as a far as possible, the management and provide multi-purposse green routes that improvement of access results in a net gain benefit people and wildlife for biodiversity through protecting and enhancing habitats and species.

Thames Path near Pinkhill Lock, Farmoor, providing social, economic and biodiversity benefits (OCC)

The extent of local rights of way and other access resources What is the Oxfordshire ‘Countryside reasons include some landholdings and Access Network’? estates that never had public access, and Access to Oxfordshire’s countryside is possible omissions in recording the first predominantly achieved through the 2,600 definitive map following the 1949 National miles (4,200km) of public rights of way in Parks and Access to the Countryside Act. the county. These public rights of way have evolved over many years, and continue to The distribution and density of the network evolve today through the modification order differs widely between different areas of the and public path order processes. Public county and especially for the different user rights of way do not always meet today’s types. Relatively small links or status recreational needs because originally these upgrades may go a long way towards and other highways were the ways used for making the network more usable. It should travel and trade. Many of these ways be recognised however, that nearly all evolved into the surfaced roads network public rights of way pass over private land whilst some stayed as unsurfaced routes, and therefore such improvements must be undertaken in negotiation with the In 2013 and according to the status of public landowner. The County Council will however rights of way as recorded on the Definitive actively seek to enable local communities Map and Statement, walkers should be able and others to identify and seek to implement to use 100% of the network, horse riders these links as and when opportunities and cyclists should be able to use 879 through housing and commercial miles, 1,417km (33.5%) of the network as developments, or where landowners are bridleway, restricted byway and byway open agreeable to the necessary access to their to all traffic (BOAT). Horse carriage drivers land. The necessary resources also need to should be able to use 204 miles, 330km be available. (7.8%) of the network on restricted byways and BOATs, whilst motorised users should be able to use 48 miles, 78km (1.8%) of network on BOATs; Figure 3.

The County Council’s online countryside access map shows all public rights of way as well as OCC promoted routes. Users can also show the combination of routes that are available for each class of user.

However all of these figures must be taken in the context of a sometimes disjointed, fragmented and obstructed network as, although it is similar in length to the county roads network, there is less connectivity between individual rights of way, and people online map of Oxfordshire's public rights of way - available at in settlements are not always able to access www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/countrysidemap a right of way to enjoy an environment of traffic-free or quiet countryside. See Appendix A for the network assessment maps. The main reason for this is because the roads originally used as part of a walking or riding journey are now busier and with faster moving vehicular traffic. Other 14

Fig 3:

Countryside access resources Access Land: The Countryside & Rights of National Trails and longer distance routes: Way Act 2000 (CRoW) granted rights to Throughout Oxfordshire there are a number walk on Access Land - areas of ‘open of longer routes that enable a themed country’ and registered commons. Open suggested walk or ride to be followed over a country is defined as: mountain, moor, number of days or in stages. The two most heath or down. Only downland and common important are the National Trails running land access land areas are present in through the county. The Thames Path Oxfordshire. There is no right of access to National Trail is a walking route which cultivated fields or other areas of ‘excepted follows the river for 180 miles from its land’ such as gardens, quarries and golf source in the Cotswolds through courses. Access land is shown on up to Oxfordshire nearly to the sea east of date ‘Explorer’ Ordnance Survey maps and London. The Ridgeway National Trail is one as local information on the Countryside of the oldest walking or riding routes in Access Team’s webpages. In Oxfordshire Britain and runs for 87 miles from near there are 455 hectares (ha) of ‘open Avebury in Wiltshire through the south of country’, 940 ha of common land and 463 Oxfordshire before crossing the Thames at ha of dedicated land. In total there are Streatley and heading north along the 1,858ha of Access Land out of the total land Chilterns scarp. area of 260,595ha (less than 1%). Other longer themed routes are usually Unlike on public rights of way, land owners accompanied by a leaflet or booklet with can suspend access for up to 28 days a some also providing additional circular year. Restrictions and closures information walks. These routes may also be signed or can be found on Natural England’s website waymarked with special badges. Just some and sites will also display notices advising of those for walkers include: when restrictions are in place. The right to enjoy access land is only for walking or - Oxfordshire Way quiet recreation. Some sites require that - d’Arcy Dalton Way dogs must be kept on a lead between March - Wychwood Way 1st and July 31st to protect ground-nesting - Oxford Canal Walk birds, or at any time when near livestock. - Oxford Green Belt Way - Chilterns Way Cycle tracks: Cycle tracks are the routes - Shakespeare’s Way that often run parallel to roads or they may - Seven Shires Way be stand-alone routes in urban or rural areas. They are not the designated cycle Riders and walkers can enjoy the Judges lanes found marked on roads with white Ride, Claude Duval Way and Swan’s Way. lines. Cycle tracks are often surfaced with In addition the County Council promotes stone or asphalt to make them easier for shorter walks and rides on the webpages: year-round cycle journeys. The organisation www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/public-site/walks-and- Sustrans has created many cycle tracks rides where they form part of the National Cycle Many of the key promoted routes and Network or local cycle networks. Cycle designated areas are shown on figure 4. tracks are not a category of highway that are recorded on definitive maps and are usually managed by OCC’s Highways Team and/or Sustrans. They are however, shown on up to date Ordnance Survey Explorer and Landranger Maps. 16

Fig 4:

Other access not shown in Fig 4: There is a right on foot tto most areas of Green Lanes, ORPAs or white roads – Common Land. maps and guidebooks may list other terms for ways such as ‘green lanes’, ‘white roads’ Roads: In addition to rights of way, and ‘ORPAs’: ‘Green lane’ is a purely permissive access and areas of green descriptive term just meaning an un- space, walkers, cyclists, and horse riders surfaced route, usually between hedges or are legitimate users of the road network, walls. A green lane might be of any of the and these roads often form part of their four types of public right of way, or not a journeys. They are vulnerable road users right of way at all. ‘White roads’ are found and so should have meaasures put in place on older Ordnance Survey (OS) maps. to ensure their safety and consideration by These aree simply un-coloured routes that vehicular traffic. may or may not carry public rights. Later OS maps show ‘ORPAs’ – Other Routes with ‘Other Access’s Many charitable, private and Public Access. These are often un-classified public bodies including tthe Wildlife Trust, and unsurrffaced roads but the actual statuus National Trust, Woodland Trust, Earth Trust, of them may not be recorded. RSPB, universities and colleges, Oxford Preservation Trust, disttrict, town and parish Permissive access: Permissive access councils and private esttates may own and comes in two forms – formal and informal. manage land which can have varying levels Formal peermissive access is sometimes of access. Sometimes tthis is free and included in Agri-environmental grant unrestricted and sometimes access is schemes. Details of current access can be subject to an entrance ffee or restrictions for found on Defra’s website at member access only. All of these areas http://cwr.naturalengland.org.uk/walk-ride.aspx. As contribute to the wider green space and at September 2014 there were 47 such provide access to more natural areas. agreements in Oxfordshire. Annual payments for this access were stopped in Some of these larger areas of additional 2012 and it is expected that many of these access are shown on figure 5. routes will not be kept open once the funding agreements end, normally after 10 years. Since the 2012 RoWIP extension was published a number of these access routes have stopped being provided. There are no plans to replace the current permissive access routes at the end of their agreement.

Formal access to land may also be provided under Inheritance Tax Exemption schemmes. www.hmrc.gov.uk/heritage/lbsearch.htm. Local councils, inncluding parish councils, might also provide permissive countryside access on land that they own or manage.

Town and Village Greens and Commons: Town and Village Greens are places that the public have customarily enjoyed for Minor roads are often valluable for recreational users exercise and recreation. They and Common (OCC) Land are recorded by the County Council.

Fig 5:

Users’ needs The Countryside Access Team has paths closer to settlements or on undertaken a wide range of information promoted/linking routes. gathering and primary research in order to 2. Increasing path surfacing and drainage contribute local perspectives to the RoWMP, Some users want easier surfaces so, even and also for the day-to-day management where resources are available, OCC and improvement of the network. This helps needs to balance the benefits of surfacing OCC to consider the needs and path for users such as families and lower circumstances of people with a range of agility people against the risk of urbanising expectations, interests and levels of ability, or over-managing the countryside or and includes both local people and visitors increasing future maintenance liabilities. to the area. Some of the ways we have We also need to guard against conflicts on gathered information include: multi-use paths (such as between cyclists - Ongoing receipt of reports about path and walkers on narrow routes). problems, through email, website and 3. Path protection Users say that OCC telephone should be making access easier for people - Focus groups and surveys to inform the with mobility impairments; including first RoWIP and user surveys every two wheelchair users, older people and years since RoWIP1 was adopted families with pushchairs. OCC need to - Developing the RoWMP by continuous speed up the removal of obstructions and discussion and liaison with key stakeholder work with land managers to prevent groups, neighbouring and local authorities, ploughing problems. Litter is seen as a OCAF and professional access problem on many routes, as is dog fouling practitioners and the loss of green spaces as a result of - Making use of national and local needs housing and commercial developments. based research such as Natural England’s 4. Access to information Users want OCC Monitoring Engagement with the Natural to improve this but on the path and off it Environment through path signage and information. What does this research tell us? Many users say that they lack confidence and knowledge regarding their rights and Overall, from all survey sources, there responsibilities when out in the was strong and encouraging support for countryside. all aspects of the County Council’s work on public rights of way. Most suggestions Importantly, all of these factors will affect were all centred around “doing more of the likelihood of non-users wanting to, or what the service does already”. Other being able to, access the countryside sections of this plan show the use levels access network. and spend on the network. The top four suggestions for better maintenance and Oxfordshire County Council tries to meet improvements are regularly: these user needs as resources allow. The next section shows to what extent the 1. More vegetation cutting Users would like Countryside Access Team manages the a greater frequency of summer and winter network and links to the second part of vegetation cutting, especially targeted on the RoWMP, the ‘statement of action’.

The accessibility of local rights and natural greenspace areas to blind or partially sighted persons and others with mobility problems The public rights of way and wider access Cotswolds Wardens, have initiated, network can have barriers that prevent negotiated, obtained funding for and equal access for many members of the delivered many improveements over the life public. These barriers may include man- of the original RoWIP and it is hoped that made and natural phhysical issues as well as this will continue. information and understanding knowledge issues. The Countryside Access Team has undertaken a Service and Community The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 has Impact Assessment of the RoWMP and this been replaced by the Equalities Act 2010. is available in a separatte annex, available at The Act broadly requires that in carrying out their functiions, public authorities must maake reasonable adjustments to ensure that it is not impossible or unreasonably difficult for people with disabilities or other ‘protected characteristics’ including age, gender and ethnicity to benefit from those functions as others would do, or to show that there arre good reasons for not doing so.

Whilst there is no specific reference in thhe Equality Act to any aspect of rights of way management, it is clear that authorities are required to have regard to their obligations under the Act wherever changes or additions to the rights of way network are proposed and are encouraged to make Wheelchair users in Oxford’’s Milham Ford Park (OCC) improvements to structures wherever www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/rowwip. The assessment’s appropriate opportunities arise. summary judgement is tthat “The public

rights of way network iss freely available, The Department for Environment, Food and subject to the provisions of the various Rural Affairs (Defra) has issued guidance legislation. The network has developed about structures on public rights of way: historically and may nott always be suitable (http://archive.defra.gov.uk/rural/documents/countrysi de/prow/gpg-equality.pdf:). The purpose of this for modern use. Stiles and other features on is to show good practice to public authorities public rights of way cann restrict and on the way that equalities legislation sometimes even prohibiit access for some impacts on their public rights of way users, in particular the disabled, mobility functions. impaired, visually impaiirred, the elderly and the very young could be at a particular Oxfordshire County Council seeks to enable disadvantage. The Counnty Council will work a public rights of way and countryside with others to limit restrriictions and access neetwork that offers as few encourage responsible access and try to restrictions as is reasonably possible manage and improve the network to meet through its own work and that of partner current and future needds.” organisations, farmers and landowners. These grooups and individuals, especially As well as providing a small range of short parish councils, the South Chilterns Path routes suitable for wheelchairs the Maintenance Volunteers, and the voluntary Countryside Access Team provides an interactive web map of access 21

www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/countrysidemap to show type, and other non-rights of way access all rights of way and access land areas resources. This, combined with more together with a switchable path gradient access improvements on the ground should mapping tool, so that slopes along a chosen help to make longer routes possible. path can be assessed. In time it is hoped that more accessibility information can be Figure 6 shows the relative accessibility of displayed on the map – such as path the county’s public rights of way and green furniture (stiles, gates etc) and the surface space access areas over 5 hectares. .

Fig 6:

Measuring how available the rights of way network is in Oxfordshire This section covers the practical aspects of The Countryside Access Team has managing routes on the ground, the developed a comprehensive database of condition of the network’s infrastructure, and rights of way management information. This how this affects users and non-users. database allows the following information, Table 5, regarding the state of the path The nature of public rights of way is that network to be detailed. they are a dynamic and complex system of seasonal, regular and random, natural and Twice a year in spring and autumn, staff man-made interactions so perfect or 100% from the Countryside Access Team access cannot be guaranteed or really undertake a survey of around 2.5% of the expected at any one time. Reasons for this network. As well as recording condition may include for example, the right of the information the surveyors also replace faded farmer to disturb the path under certain waymarkers, report hazardous situations, conditions, seasonal or cyclical vegetation and undertake small scale clearance of growth, random third party impacts such as stiles and fingerposts in order to ‘improve as flytipping and vandalism, or elemental they move’. impacts such as flooding or earth shifting. Since 2008 the Team has used the Whilst the Council can and does aspire to all Countryside Access Management System, paths being open all of the time, in reality all linked to a Geographical Information System it can do is to prevent and manage these (GIS) which allows the records to be shown impacts to the best that resources and on a map, Figure 7. technology allow.

Table 5: Snapshot comparison of OCC RoW network availability data, 2006 and 2013 (Source: OCC Access Management System January 2006 and December 2013)

2006 2013

63% of paths were found to be easy to use* 76.7% by length of paths passed

Paths *the ‘easy to use’ figure adopts the Audit Commission’s quality standard (BVPI 178, now easy to discontinued) for position , furniture, signing, surface and vegetation. Routes assessed according use to definitive line, rather than alternatives used on the ground such as paths the ‘wrong’ side of hedges or bridges that are off line. 89% of 5073 roadside locations were signed 93% (5290) of 5711 roadside locations Signing were signed 33% of ‘easy to use’ links would benefit from 2013: 41.6% of easy to use links waymarking surveyed in 2013 would benefit from waymarking (total passed links 680) Waymark 40.6% of ‘not easy to use’ links would benefit 58.9% of not easy to use links surveyed ing from waymarking in 2013 would benefit from waymarking (total links failed 151) (Total Links 831)

85% of 4834 stiles were in useable condition, 67.9% of 4108 stiles were useable 14% unsatisfactory, 1% dangerous (Good/Fair), 13.7% unsatisfactory, Stiles 5.9% redundant ,<0.2% Dangerous , c1% obstructed, 1% Missing 88% of 5784 gates were in useable condition, 73.6% of 7492 gates were useable Gates 12% unsatisfactory (Good/Fair). 7.4% unsatisfactory

93% of 2050 bridges in place and in useable 82.06% of 2247 bridges useable. 4.8% Bridges condition, 7% unsatisfactory, 5% missing, unsatisfactory, 4.5% missing, <0.3% 1% dangerous dangerous, 408 instances of unsatisfactory surfaces, 8 93.54% of Surfaces easy to use Surfacing dangerous, 239 surfaces causing obstruction (Good/Fair) to passage Access 2001-2005 2006-2013 items

stiles decreased from 4999 to 4834 Stiles decreased from 4834 to 4108

gates increased from 5117 to 5784 Gates increased from 5784 to 7492

bridges increased from 1924 to 2050 Bridges increased from 2050 to 2247

Shortcomings and challenges to key benefit arising from this document. For undertaking improvements the development planning work areas there Although Oxfordshire County Council won a have been fewer path improvements national award in 2009 for producing one of implemented than anticipated because new the most innovative and enterprising residential and commercial developments RoWIPs, it has faced a number of take a long time to move through the stages challenges and it is felt that the RoWIP fell from design to planning permission to build short in a small number of areas: and occupation. Following a period of stagnation in developments we have Funding - This has always been in short recently seen a significant growth in this supply – from government as well as what area and as a result some significant new the County Council can allocate but the routes, upgrades and funds have been authority has been successful in attracting secured from major planning developments, additional streams of funding to supplement but most works on the ground have not yet these budgets. It is recognised that such commenced. This is because the pressures will only increase over the life of development hasn’t started or the ‘trigger this RoWMP. Unfortunately this has meant point’ of the development (that would that a number of the actions in the original release funds or require action on the RoWIP have not been achieved as they ground), such as number of dwellings relied on additional staff and budget to be occupied or period of time after planning provided to enable increased activity to be conditions met, has not yet been reached. undertaken, including definitive map It can be a challenging process to create modification orders and maintenance work. new links or upgrade status outside of the Unfortunately external sources of funding definitive map modification, diversion or cannot usually be used for these core planning processes; particularly where there activities. is no immediate or clear benefit to the Fewer new rights of way and upgrades to landowner. Communities and staff can come existing routes put in place on the ground - up against blockages which can cause The expectation from many participants in frustrations with the legal processes or the development of the original RoWIP was options that are available that new routes and upgrades would be a

Fig 7: Snapshot of public rights of way surveyed between 2008 and 2013 meeting ‘easy to use’ standard

Statement of Action - Maintaining and improving public rights of way through the Rights of Way Management Plan This section is the Statement of Action that the car, as well making a big difference to the introduces and sets out what the authority will local environment and residents’ sense of aim to do over the life of the plan to secure place and wellbeing. better management and improvement of the countryside access network in Oxfordshire. By working closely with other authorities and organisations, local communities, developers, Since the economic crisis of 2008 there has volunteers and other stakeholders and been increased scarcity of resources both partners it is hoped that ‘added value’ can be within the public sector and for volunteer obtained for the public rights of way and groups. The priority, as with the previous access network. The ambition is for a network RoWIP, is to meet the statutory duties of the that best suits local community needs within authority to record, protect and maintain the the constraints on resources that the authority public rights of way network. However, faces. promoting the network, seeking to improve the network’s quality and accessibility, and The overall vision and aims are set out below altering the network to meet contemporary which builds on the assessment of need and needs are still important as they contribute continues in the same vein as the previous directly to the local economy, give more RoWIP. opportunities to walk and ride instead of using

Vision Statement The Rights of Way Management Plan’s vision statement broadly reflects that contained in the first RoWIP and sets out the authority’s ambition:

Vision: To record and maintain the existing public rights of way and countryside access network for all users and would-be users, and where possible improve the extent, facilities, use and understanding of the network, so that public rights of way fulfil their role as a vital part of life in the County.

Aims:

1. Public rights of way are recorded, protected, maintained, promoted, and improved when opportunities arise 2. A public rights of way and countryside access network that adapts to balance the current and future needs of communities and users, farmers and landowners and the natural and historic environment 3. A public rights of way and countryside access network which is reasonably accessible to those with limited mobility, vision or understanding 4. Countryside access contributes to a thriving local economy and communities are able to be actively involved in caring for and promoting responsible walking and riding in their area.

Rights of Way Management Framework A new ‘Rights of Way Management the plan (the ‘direction of travel’) along with Framework’ is provided that summarises tthe anticipated short to medium term actions. main areas of responsibility and how this may change oveer the life of the plan, illustrated in The reason for developing a framework is to Figures 8 and 8. reinforce the interconnnectedness of the areas of work undertaken annd to set out how the This framework includes the three main areas aims of the RoWMP will be achieved, but of public rights of way and countryside acccess without being too presccriptive. This will allow management: i) the definitive map and some flexibility of approach depending on statement, ii) countryside access management available resources and any changes to and iii) countryside access and development legislation or the operating environment. planning. Within the framework diagrams the three principle stakeholder groups are shown The framework has evvolved from experiences with arrows and text to summarise the actions gained from the first RooWIP, research these groups may take to achieve the overall undertaken since the ffirst RoWIP was outcome of a ‘reasonably fit for purpose’ adopted, the responses to the review public rightts of way and access network. consultation, and from work to develop the Each of the following sections develops the revised content for thee assessment of need. framework, by giving a summary of current The RoWMP links intoo other strategies such operations and then setting out a broad sense as the Local Transportt Plan and the Highway of what is anticipated to change over the llife of Assset Management Plaan.

Fig 8: Simplified Rights of Way Management Framework

OCC Definitive Map and OCC Access Statement development and planning

OCC Access Management Communities, and volunteers, Maintainance farmers and partner organisations

Prommotion to Improvements residents and and added visitors value Physical activity groups

Fig 9: Expanded Rights of Way Management Framework The three main areas of work and how the three main groups work with eacch other on them

A ‘fit for purpose’ pubblic rights of way and access network

ii. Access iii. Access i. Definitive Map Maintenance & & Statement Development & Management Planning

Oxfordshire County Council

iv+v. Farmers, landowners & occupiers iv+v. Parishes, volunteers, partner organisations

Improvements and added value

Promotion to residents and visitors 28

Duties, rights, powers and responsibilities in countryside access and public rights of way Local communities have been involved in the terms this usually means there is a rights of management of tracks and paths for many way team as part of a wider directorate or hundreds of years for the benefit of service that deals with the day to inhabitants of an area as well as the general management of the network – providing the public. The construction, maintenance and link between users, land-managers and local management of these tracks evolved to meet communities. society’s changing use and needs; from paths used for predominantly transport Furness (2009) identifies the wide range of journeys to paths mostly used for recreation. duties, powers and rights applicable to local As the range of rules, responsibilities and councils, authorities, landowners and users expectations changed so have the (the key stakeholders in public rights of way responsibilities and involvement in them, management), showing that there are no duties for local councils in relation to public In England, most formal practical rights of way, table 6. There are now no real management of public rights of way is responsibilities on the public at large or in a undertaken by the county council, unitary community’s area. authority or national park authority acting in the role of highway authority. In operational

Table 6: Summary of stakeholder duties, powers and rights on public rights of way Users managers Land councils Parish councils District Unitary council/ County (non-highways) Duties  Powers  Rights ▲

Publish and keep the DMS up to date  Hold copies of the DMS and orders    Apply for changes to the DMS ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ Make orders to change the DMS based on evidence –  adding or changing status Divert or extinguish paths    Object to an order      Keep a register of applications for changes and statutory  declarations Produce and review a Rights of Way Improvement Plan  To assert and protect the rights of the public   Maintain public rights of way    Overgrowth removal     Undergrowth removal    Bridge maintenance and repair    Surfacing and/or drainage     Stile and gate maintenance and repair     Force the highway authority to take action on repair ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ (non-highways) Users managers Land councils Parish councils District Unitary council/ County Duties  Powers  Rights ▲

Require the removal of obstructions andd the abatement ▲ ▲  of nuisances, e.g. barbed wire To enforce re-instatement after ploughing or secure   removal of crops To take action to prevent or remove mislleading signs   Within reason, remove obstructions to peersonal passage  Removing litter or fly-tipping  Signposting from a road    Other signposting and way-marking   Create new paths    Process planning applications (not schoools,  minerals/waste or county applications) Authorise temporary diversions  Enter into agency agreements  ▲  Lighting  Litter bins    Safety barriers  Seats and shelters    Other improvements     Promote access for residents and visitors     (adapted from Furness, 2009)

Livestock can present management and user issues on public rights of way (OCC)

30 i. Definitive Map and Statement The legal record of public rights of way is of the larger libraries. Details are available on called the Definitive Map and Statement our website. (DM&S) of Public Rights of Way. It is an important document that records the 2,600 Electronic copies of the DM&S are available miles of public rights of way in Oxfordshire. online at the website address above. In 2006 the DM&S was updated for only the fourth time since 1949. Note that the record shows the position as the relevant date, currently 21.2.2006. Legal Inclusion of a way on the DM&S is proof of changes since this date (through diversions, the existence of that right at the relevant extinguishments, creations or modification date. The Definitive Map shows the location orders) will not be shown. However this of public rights of way and also their status information is available on a separate list and (i.e. whether they are footpaths, bridleways, up-to-date information is available on OCC’s restricted byways or byways). The Definitive interactive web map facility at: Statement gives a description of the public www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/countrysidemap rights of way, including any limitations, conditions or defined width. This legal record Modifications to the Definitive Map and underpins the majority of the day to day Statement - The DM&S is conclusive countryside access work on the ground as evidence at the relevant date that the rights well as improvements undertaken by local exist, but this is without prejudice to other communities. rights which may exist. These can be proved by way of a legal process known as a The DM&S is looked after by the County Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO). Council’s Definitive Map and Commons Anyone may make an application to us with Team. The Team keeps the DM&S and other evidence to back up their claim. As associated documents available to the ‘Surveying Authority’, we must then research public, and carry out the legal processes further and if certain legal tests are met, required to amend it. This includes make an order to amend the DM&S. Claims investigating applications to add new rights may be made to add rights which were (modification orders), processing applications overlooked when the first DM&S was to change existing rights of way or create compiled (sometimes called “lost ways”) or new paths by agreement (public path orders which have come into being more recently and dedication agreements), maintaining through public use for a period of 20 years or registers of processes, and providing help more “as of right”, i.e. without force, secrecy and guidance. or permission. Further guidance on the DMMO procedure is available at Availability of the Definitive Map and www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/modificationsanddiversions Statement - The DM&S is available to view as a paper copy or on OCC’s website at: Diversions or stopping up of public rights of www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/definitivemap. way - A footpath, bridleway or restricted byway can be diverted if it meets certain Paper copies of the DM&S are kept at the legal tests, by applying for a Public Path Countryside Access Team offices and can be Order (PPO) under s119 of the Highways Act viewed during standard office hours by 1980; occasionally applications for stopping appointment (tel: 01865 810808). Copies can up can be made under s118 of the same Act. also be viewed at the Reference Library in Other processes exist for byways via Oxford Central Library and at the Oxfordshire application to Magistrates’ Court. History Centre in Cowley. Each parish and The County Council sometimes needs to town council has also been supplied with a divert a public right of way itself due to paper copy of the DM&S covering their area. decisions on planning proposals that are Extracts are also available at a number of concerned with the management of waste or district council locations as well as at some extraction of minerals, as well as proposals 31 for its own operational use such as extensions to schools or libraries. Providing help and support - The Definitive Applications for PPOs associated with these Map and Commons Team can provide types of proposal must be made under further information on pprocesses and s257/261 of the Town and Country Plannning guidance on key application procedures is Act 1990. Other authorities, such as District available online. Councils and the Secretary of State, also STATEMENT OF ACTION TARGETS have various powers to make orders. Changes to legislation and the operational Statutory registers - We maintain two framework ‘sense of diirection’ statutory registers for public inspection: Major reforms to DM&S and PPO processes The Landowner Statements Register lists are currently proposed (Deregulation Bill plans, staatements and statutory declarations 2014) and expected to come into effect over deposited by landowners to protect against the term of this document. These reforms future rights of way and village green claims: originated primarily as a way to address the www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/landownerdeposits 2026 DM&S cut-off datte, after which it will not be possible to applly for “lost ways” based The Definitive Map Modification Orders on documentary research only. The full Applications Register lists all applications, extent of these propossals and impact on the outstanding and completed, received since County Council will only be clear when 1995. Wee also publish a list of Pending regulations are published. OCC’s existing DMMO cases providing additional priorities and operations will then be information to enable people to track reviewed and incorporraated into the RoWMP progress of applications. through the bi-annual update or delivery www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/modificationsanddiversiions plan. Acction for the next twoo years • Continue work to keep DM&S under review • Assess and review ooperations and priorities once legisllation changes have come into effect Acction for the next fivee years • Adapt operations to any alterations in budgets, staff resources and legislative changes

Meets RoWMP aims 1 and 2

Parish claim map for Forest Hill with Shotover – carried out under the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act

32 ii. Countryside Access Management Public rights of way are predominantly keep the network open and available managed by the Oxfordshire County Council, includes: through the authority’s Countryside Access • investigating thousands of reports of issues Team in partnership with farmers and a year and taking appropriate action as landowners, user groups and local necessary to ensure rights of way are communities. Each of the Team’s area unobstructed officers manages a defined area and a • removing excessive natural vegetation specialised small unit oversees and growing on public rights of way to maintain undertakes the majority of the practical a reasonably clear route – and maximise maintenance work. the opportunity for biodiversity to flourish Team role and challenges - The Team’s role • providing and maintaining bridges over is to assert and protect legitimate use of natural watercourses and ditches (there are public rights of way and ensure that all over 2,000 bridges on rights of way in the people and organisations involved with rights county). of way understand their responsibilities and • signposting routes where they leave a are able to meet them effectively. Issues metalled road and waymark along them tackled on the network vary from simple where required (there are over 7,500 PRoW signing issues, to complex areas such as signposts in Oxfordshire). providing access for people with disabilities, working with planners and developers to development control, public safety, or land protect and enhance access through the management. development process The peculiar challenge of rights of way work • considering, under the Equality Act 2010 is that generally, although highways, public and current British Standard 5709 (2006) rights exist over private land that is still (Specification for Gaps, gates and stiles). ‘worked’ or farmed. This contrasts with Includes the principle of ‘Least Restrictive country parks and greenspace areas where Option’ relating to the decision to select a access is the principal function, or roads gap, gate or stile, to permit people to use a management where the road itself is the only path crossing a field boundary (such as a land use. Therefore although the highway is hedge fence or stone wall) when legally vested with the highway authority maintaining the network and authorising (controlling as much of the land as is structures on the PRoW network and necessary to ensure the right of way can be seeking removal and improvements to exercised), it is necessary and desirable to existing structures where it would be work closely with land managers, users and beneficial. local communities so that work is done in a • providing information to assist users, spirit of goodwill and cooperation. OCC is visitors, landowners and others to manage statutorily obliged to have due regard to the and enjoy access. This includes the needs of agriculture, forestry and interactive web-based map horticulture. • having due regard to protecting sensitive For countryside access management and habitats and biodiversity in managing and maintenance functions, Oxfordshire County improving access Council works to the information contained in • providing financial contribution to the the Definitive Map and Statement (DMS). In maintenance of stiles and gates (there are very exceptional circumstances, and where over 11,000 gates, kissing gates and stiles budgets allow, we may undertake in the county). maintenance on routes not on the DMS • working with community groups and Protection and maintenance work parishes to find local solutions to local undertaken - As other sections in this challenges document show, the network generally is in • offering free access advice and fair condition. The work the Team does to encouraging land managers & occupiers to make access easier on public rights of way, 33

using current British Standard as the • The impact of the issue looking at the wider standard sought. network

Keeping public rights of way available Figure 10: Examples of possible higher and lower priority issues Oxfordshire County Council’s public assessed through the Issue Impact rights of way statutory duty under the Assessment stage Highways Act 1980 centres on ensuring that, across the network, rights are not • Accident/Incident where injury obstructed and routes are maintained in a has occurred • reasonable condition. A matter that poses an immediate Higher and likely high risk to the public Where possible, Oxfordshire County Council e.g. hung up tree, subsidence, will seek to add ‘value’ to the statutory duty, dangerous animals, broken bridge by working to secure additional resources • Path obstructed by natural or and supporting and encouraging farmers, man-made factor where no lawful land managers, local communities, groups, alternative is available, or wilful action that impedes access to a volunteers and individuals to improve the PRoW network for all users, especially on those • Local issue which generates routes that provide the most value to their significant concern/reports users or that provide other benefits. • Additional seasonal vegetation

In order to make the best use of available clearance on priority routes Lower • resources and give clarity to stakeholders, it PRoW infrastructure fault where there is no risk of serious injury is necessary to have some sort of • Path improvement projects, prioritisation approach in place to manage unless the project can resolve issues that arise on the network in higher priority issues accordance with the resources available. Developing an improved approach - A B) Public rights of way categorisation reasonable approach to Issue Prioritisation will be developed in the early years of the Category 1 • RoWMP, based on both an Issue Impact Routes used as key routes to schools or Assessment (A) and a form of Path local facilities and that are used by many Categorisation (B), to be used in combination people for daily commuting journeys with operational standards to enable the • Routes that provide direct tourism authority to make the best use of available economic benefits (e.g. Thames Path and resources. The Ridgeway National Trails) and the key Initial approach to Issue Prioritisation linking routes that connect the route to villages or facilities) A) Public rights of way issue impact assessment Category 2 • Known daily recreation or exercise routes Public rights of way issues reported to the • County Council or identified through Key Oxfordshire County Council promoted inspections will normally be assessed with routes regard to their impact on public safety. This • Key District Council and other assessment usually forms the main basis for organisation’s promoted routes that are priority setting, Figure 10. The impacts actively managed with/by OCC considered are: Category 3 • Other OCC or an authority’s promoted • Overall level of hazard or risk that the issue routes represents Category 4 • The degree of obstruction • The remainder of the network • The cause and likely duration of problem A separate process of study and evaluation • The character of the route, its normal traffic will be undertaken in order to research and the route’s normal state of repair 34 possibilities and inform the development of this approach. It is hoped that such an With this in mind, the CCountryside Access exercise will enable OCC to better Teeam’s work is focuseed on, as far as understand local use and position itself to reasonably practicable, protecting and access any additional funding that may maanaging the existing public rights of way become available as it will be better able to neetwork with communities and stakeholders , demonstrate the benefits that may be derived annd where possible, improve involvement, from investment. It is also anticipated that exxtent and understandding of the network, so path categorisation will help in identifying key that public rights of way fulfil their role as a routes to prioritise how improvements and vital part of life in Oxfoordshire. other 'added value' works are targeted by OCC and by other organisations including Acction for the next twoo years local councils, volunteers, community and • Maintain focus on managing the network interest groups. making best use of available resources STATEMENT OF ACTION TARGETS • Assess and review ooperations and processess in line witth any alterations in Changes to legislation and the operational budgets, staff resources or changes to framework ‘sense of direction’ legislation It is not expected that legislation will bring • Seek to refine the information and about significant changes to the practical operations to enable the Issue Impact side of public rights of way management over Assessment and Path Categorisation the ten years of this Rights of Way approach to be considered for Management Plan. If there is change whhich implementation by end 2016/17 affects how the authority carries out its public • rights of way functions then this will be Maintain and extend the Parish Path incorporated into the RoWMP through the bi- Warden scheme alongside other path annual delivery plan and revisions to monitoringg approaches • operations. Encourage and support the development of community-led improvement projects The biggest area of challenge is the pressure that can access external funding on funding and resources available to thhe authority either directly or through third party Acction for the next fivee years • support to undertake the full range of Assess and review ooperations and maintenance or improvement works that the processess in line witth any alterations in authority would like to aspire to. This means budgets, staff resources or changes to a continual monitoring of operating practices legislation and priorities is necessary as well as making • Work with Oxfordshhire Countryside the best use of technology and enabling Access Forum and kkey partners to experienced and enhanced engagement improve PRoW processes with, and skilled officers to provide support to, partners. Meets all RoWMP aims

iii. Countryside access and the development planning process Countryside Access Team priorities for back from the public right of way or shall not working with developments are to protect open outwards from the site across the public existing countryside access and where right of way. Reason: To ensure that gates possible and reasonable to mitigate the are opened or closed in the interests of public impacts of development to enhance the right of way user safety network for all users in three key areas: 6. Improvements to routes: Public rights of way through the site should be integrated with the i) Protecting and enhancing access on individual developments development and improved to meet the pressures caused by the development whilst For most applications, large or small, retaining their character where appropriate.. standard suggested conditions will be No improvements may be implemented promoted to the Local Planning Authority to without prior approval of Oxfordshire County protect and enhance PRoW and public green Council. Reason: To ensure the public right of spaces within an application’s boundary. way through the development retains Depending on individual circumstances these character and use as a linear corridor and is conditions normally cover: able to integrate with the development 1. Temporary obstructions. No materials, The Pet Food Manufacturers Association plant, temporary structures or excavations of estimates that 24% of households own a dog any kind should be deposited / undertaken on in 2014 and this is around 9 million dogs. In or adjacent to the Public Right of Way that the south-east region the estimate is 22% obstructs the public right of way whilst dog ownership in a range between 8 and development takes place. Reason: To 36% (PTMA, 2014). This amount of dog ensure the public right of way remains ownership should be an important available and convenient for public use. consideration in access management and 2. Route alterations. No changes to the public planning of new developments. right of way direction, width, surface, ii) Securing mitigation measures linked to signing or structures shall be made without individual development site prior written permission by Oxfordshire County Council or appropriate temporary Where appropriate mitigation measures to diversion. Reason: To ensure the public right manage the impacts on public rights of way of way remains available and convenient for as a result of additional usage in and around public use. an individual development site will also be 3. Vehicle access (construction): No sought. Contributions may be sought construction / demolition vehicle access may towards improvements to existing rights of be taken along or across a public right of way way in the wider area which are likely to be without prior written permission and affected by the development in order to appropriate safety/mitigation measures ensure that the right of way is of a suitable approved by Oxfordshire County Council. standard to code with the additional usage. Reason: To ensure the public right of way These measures are normally: remains available and convenient for public a) Making existing routes surrounding the use. development site easier to use and more 4. Vehicle access (Occupation): No vehicle attractive, by providing surface access may be taken along or across a public treatments, landscaping and planting right of way to residential or commercial sites measures and better infrastructure items without prior written permission and appropriate safety and surfacing measures b) Providing additional linking routes approved by Oxfordshire County Council. surrounding a development site's area of Reason: To ensure the public right of way influence to make the network more remains available and convenient for public joined up and easier to use. use iii) Seeking pooled contributions towards 5. Gates / right of way: Any gates provided in important county and district countryside association with the development shall be set access route assets

Certain access routes are considered to be of ‘place-making’ for local residents and the high value at the county and district scale local economy. because of their location, quality, length, availability or status. This makes these routes STATEMENT OF ACTION TARGETS likely to be used by more people than the residents and workers in the vicinity of the route Changes to legislation and the operational which means they will be affected as population framework ‘sense of diirection’ in districts and across the county increases, The planning system is continuously evolving Table 7. at all scales, and it is expected that this rate iv) Supporting growth, the economy and of change will continue. If planning issues quality of place in the priority significantly impact on OCC’s public rights of development and growth areas way functions then the authority’s approach Oxfordshire has six areas that are priorities will be reviewed through operational for econommic growth. These are Bicesterr, changes and linked to the RoWMP’s annual Oxford, Science Vale UK, Banbury, Witney update or delivery plan. and Carterton. The City and District Councils are also developing their Local Plans to Acction for the next twoo years identify sites to accommodate the anticipated • Manage responses to all planning aspects housing need arising from this growth. Each alongside other demands and keep under of these key areas plus the other areas with review significant growth are shown in maps in • Promote the infrastructure needs of Appendix B with the broad areas of access countryside access measures highlighted. These tie into the Acction for the next fivee years network connectivity assessments in • Work with Oxfordshhire Countryside Appendix A. These maps were devised uusing Access Forum and kkey partners to available map-based information and local improve PRoW processes and prioritise knowledge and expressions of need, including from the first RoWIP. Overall, the additional routes and links are intended to Meets all RoWMP aims make travelling safeer or to better connect the network as a means to improve the local targeting at the district and locality level environment, health and wellbeing and

Table 7: Planning authority area and the key access route assets for whhich that require contributions will be sought

County-wide Thames Path National Trail corridor, Ridgeway National Traiil corridor, Oxford Canal Walk corridor, Wilts & Berks Canal Walk corridor, Oxfordshire County Council promoted walks and rides Cherwell District Cherwell District Council circular walks and rides, Claude Duval riding route, Oxford Green Belt Way West Oxfoordshire West Oxfordshire District Council and Cotswolds AONB promoted circular walks and rides, Lower Windrush Valley Path, Wychwood Way, Oxford Green Belt Way, Bablock Hythe crossing, d’Arcy Dalton Way South Oxfordshire South Oxfordshire District Council, Chilterns AONB and North Wessex Downs AONB promoted circular walks and rides, Oxford Green Belt Way, Judges Ride, Swans Way, Chilterns Way Oxford City Oxford Green Belt Way, Oxford Green Spaces Walk, Bablock Hythe crossing

Vale of White Vale of White Horse District Council and North Wessex Downs AONB promoted walks and Horse rides, Oxford Green Belt Way, Bablock Hythe crossing

37 iv. The current and future role that key existing organisations play in countryside access The main organisations and their current roles are summarised in Table 8 – plus some possible options for how the relationship or role might be able to change in the future to maximise benefits to the public. Importantly, individual farmers and other land managers are included as they play a vital role in meeting the access ambitions for most of these groups.

Table 8: Key organisations and roles

Organisation Current role with rights of Possible changes over the life of the way and Oxfordshire RoWMP County Council (OCC) Farmers and rural • Most farmers and rural • Increase opportunities for land managers land managers communities to work with farmers to understand and meet their create links that meet local needs responsibilities – although • Work with partners to reduce conflicts it can need reminders and misunderstanding, especially on • Rights of way may often farmland be regarded as cross-farm • Increase pro-active levels of liabilities that interfere with compliance with responsibilities agricultural operations District councils • Consult officers directly on • Encourage contributions from the planning matters that Community Infrastructure Levy to affect rights of way improve area rights of way in liaison • Some undertake with OCC and local councils promotion of access and • Greater coordination of improvements rural tourism and volunteer working • Manage own areas of • OCC moving to more effective countryside response to major planning • Local Development applications Framework and policy work Local councils • Many undertake • Work to combine existing rights of (parish and town monitoring and way representatives and other councils and parish maintenance work on organisations with the new Parish meetings) rights of way Path Warden scheme to ensure full • Some also promote routes coverage across the county and provide maps and • Seek to add ‘value’ to the statutory other local information maintenance work that OCC must • Some ‘path champions’ undertake as highway authority, collate reports on path possibly using parish precept or condition and issues and available Community Infrastructure contact OCC officers to Levy funds from local developments seek resolution (see Fig.11) • Improve access and promotion of their areas by applying to external funding sources such as charities and Lottery Oxfordshire • Statutory advisory group • Taking more responsibility in Countryside Access to OCC and other bodies promoting and increasing sustainable Forum (a Local about access to the access to the countryside - following Access Forum) countryside other LAF examples • Brings together • Acting as access ‘champion’ to representatives of encourage highway, transport and 38

landmanaging and surveying authority to modify policy farming interests strategy and delivery alongside user and other relevant Oxfordshire- specific interests User and amenity • Mostly volunteers with • Carry on with valuable work groups (e.g. local or national support • Work with partners to reduce conflicts Ramblers, British • Protect and support public and misunderstanding, especially on Horse Society, rights of way through farmland Oxford Fieldpaths campaigning, getting • Encourage the promotion of the aims Society, Chilterns involved in planning and of the RoWMP Society, CPRE etc rights of way legal • Seek opportunities to secure processes, undertaking additional funding for access-related practical work including projects some seeking funding for this Landowning’ • Have to focus on • Include these access facilities as a charities like the management of own sites county-wide access asset and Wildlife Trust or areas to meet promote them (BBOWT), National charitable objectives and • Increase joint working and project Trust, Woodland as part of wider remit partnerships across boundaries to Trust, Canal & River • Rights of way may be meet shared aims Trust, Sustrans and regarded as cross-site • Use rights of way and improvements Oxford Preservation liabilities or integrated with as key connections to enable traffic- Trust etc site management for free access to the sites maintenance or ecological • Enable shared learning by users purposes

Chilterns and • Protect the character and • Continue all existing work Cotswolds special qualities of their • Increase joint marketing activities to Conservation areas support and develop sustainable Boards and the • Promote and support tourism and contribute to the local North Wessex access, tourism and economy Downs AONB office understanding in their • Help to deliver RoWMP objectives areas through own initiatives • Produce management • Target grants to communities seeking plans and policies that access improvements OCC has to take account • Encourage ‘Access for All’ so that of people of all levels of mobility can use • A RoWIP should take and enjoy the countryside account of the local • Maintain and increase volunteer work distinctiveness, character on countryside access and quality of AONBs in its development and delivery of access to the area National Farmers • Represent interests of • Encourage to think of access and Union and Country their members and wider local communities positively in terms Land and Business industry of small link creation and providing Association • Will promote best practice targeted improvements and facilities to their members that could provide services and • Assist with liaison generate goodwill and revenue between their members and OCC staff on specific issues Oxfordshire Rights • Longstanding group that • Include issues and ‘horizon scanning’ 39 of Way Monitoring meets twice a year and in meetings Group receives six monthly • Combine normal meeting agenda reports from rights of way with an occasional discussion Teams on delivery of workshop to encourage collaboration services to solve a particular problem or to • Provides forum for airing address a current issue issues directly between • Keep under review in terms of groups and the duplication with OCAF and meeting Countryside Access Team effectiveness • Links to OCAF and Local area RoW Forum meetings Local area rights of • Meet twice yearly in each • Include more forward planning and way meetings rights of way area. Bring shared reporting together local people with • Invite local community varied interests so local representatives where possible issues are discussed and • Keep under review in terms of solutions agreed on duplication and meeting effectiveness National Trails • OCC hosts the National • Review management of National Management Group/ Trails Team. Trails in line with Natural England’s Trails Partnership • National Trails Team review and the ‘New Deal’ strategy coordinates the • Develop more inclusive National Trail management and Partnerships for both National Trails promotion of The • Improve OCC’s promotion of NTs as Ridgeway and Thames key assets to link better access to in Path National Trails its area. • Extensive use of volunteers to maintain and monitor the Trails and circular routes Others incl. CTC, • Countryside access is • Increase understanding and shared Local Nature currently a relatively working so these groups increase Partnership, Local marginal part of their work wider recreational access provision Economic in cycle tourism, and understanding of landscape, Partnership, Health conservation, biodiversity, farming and nature & Wellbeing Board, economy or health. Oxon Assoc. Local Councils etc. Natural England • Temporary permissive • Continuing support for National Trails access was included in Management many agri-environmental • Promoting access creation through schemes and this includes use of Common Agricultural Policy the areas of downland funds or schemes such as Paths for access land Support for Communities Local Access Forum and • Commission and share research on partnership work use of countryside and health • Provides majority funding • Higher level support and links for National Trails between partner organisations • Continuing support for Local Access Forum

v. Local community, neighbourhood and volunteer participation in countryside access maintenance, improvement and promotion It is hoped that three types of partnership The County Council retains the with OCC’s Countryside Access Team, statutory duty for funding and outlined in the next sections, pages 42-47, maintaining the definitive map, will become more established and integrated and the protection, maintenance with each other over timme and lead to a and providing information about countryside access neetwork that enables public rights of way partnership working to meet the needs of local people, as well as visitors and leads to Many local communities, user and interest more people becoming involved in the organisations, individual users, farmers aand protection and improvement of an important land-managers play an active and valuable part of Oxfordshire’s cuultural heritage. role in surveying, reporting, recording and managing public rights of way and When considering the application of any or countryside access in Oxfordshire. This all of these elements in an officer’s area or involvement adds public benefit and quality across the wider authority area, OCC officers to the network, demonstrates the importance will need to assess available capacity, of an accessible countryside and urban rrights budgets and the expected outcome of such of way in people’s local areas, and enables involvement. This work also needs to be more people to enjoy access responsibly and balanced against existting responsibilities and safely. Oxfordshire County Council needs to priorities. The Team will seek additional continue to work with existing groups annd external resources and capacity to enable a individuals to make the best of their efforrts proper investment in this to be made in order and enthusiasm and to target resources to achieve the best outtcomes for local where the work will make the most communities, neighbourhoods and users of difference, and where possible, build up the public rights of way and countryside levels of new local participation across the access network. county. STATEMENT OF ACTION TARGETS Needs and demands from existing groups and individuals as well as potential new ones The Countryside Accesss Team wants to will have to be carefully managed so that the carry on working with existing organisations best outcomes for path users are achieved and bring in other organisations or expand to and demands on staff time are not excessive areas without any involvement as much as and ensure priority and legally-complex wwork possible, and in a balanced way that meets can be undertaken. shared ambitions.

Acction for the next twoo years • Maintain current approach to supporting existing community groups and volunteers • Work with Ramblers and others to maintain and extend the county wide Parish Path Warden scheme to complement existing parishes’ work • Review the self-help resources available to local councils and other groups

Acction for the next fivee years • Local people in the South Chilterns Path Maintenance Assess and review ooperations and Volunteers improving their area (Howard Dell) processes in line witth budgets or staff resources and legislation changes

Meets all RoWWMP aimss 41 v1. Local Councils and neighbourhood/community groups – how their existing work or a new area of work could improve countryside access management

Fig 11: Activities and roles that could be undertaken – or are undertaken already i. Key contact for local access issues

vi. Promote ii. Survey PRoWs and best routes for locals and gather visitors information

Local council, neighbourhood or community group v. Identify key iii. Assess upgrades or issues to send provide to OCC or evidence for manage DMMOs locally iv. Undertake additional maintenance using precept

i. Key contact for local issues – A group and the state of the vegetation, stiles, made up or local people can be the best gates and bridges etc. can be monitored, single place for local people to report and problems identified at an early stage. access issues to as it means that the iii. Assess issues and send to OCC or group knows what is happening in their manage locally – The local group could area and can use their local contacts and assess what are the most important knowledge to take action when it can. It issues in their area and send these also encourages a sense of ownership of through to OCC. There would have to be shared responsibility and pride in a local a balance struck between the needs of area. Local people can decide on their the neighbourhood and the issues priorities through their Community-Led identified by all the other neighbourhoods Plan or Neighbourhood Plan which can in an OCC Field Officer’s area. However refine and reinforce community access to there may be some issues found on the rights of way network. surveys and reports that can be resolved ii. Survey routes and gather information – at a local level by the group, perhaps by Local groups can organise regular walks speaking to a landowner, householder or or rides of their local rights of way by local business, without having to refer individuals or groups to both check on the issue to OCC. This might include paths but also as a fun social and overgrowing vegetation and repairs to recreational activity that brings all parts stile and gates for example. Other of the neighbourhood together. Using issues reported might be considered so paths regularly means that knowledge temporary in nature that it is decided that about the route’s location and condition, nothing can be done, for example

seasonal flooding of a riverside path, and accommodation, and pubs etc. it is not worth sending the issue throough Incorporating these into suggested to OCC. walking and riding routes can increase use of the facilities and help keep them iv. Undertake additional maintenance or viable. Having a selection of routes with improvements using precept and other different ‘themes’ or reasons to use them funds – Local councils have powers to can encourage vissitors to stay for more undertake maintenance and nights, which usually results in an improovement works on public rights of increase in spending. More interesting way and on its own land, above and routes also encourages more local beyond on what the County Council people to use them more often which undertakes on rights of way as its has resulting healtth and social benefits statutory duty. They may choose to fund as people make more active use of theire this through existing parish maintenance local area. funds or bid for funds from third parrty sources. They can also work with volunteer groups such as BTCV, the Ramblers and other walking groups, British Horse Society or the Chiltern Society and Cotswolds Wardens. Some parish and town councils already do this to add to the work that the authority does. . v. Identify key upgrades or provide evidence on Definitive Map Modification Order applicationso – As the group most ‘in touch’ with the needs of local residents, they are best placed to know where the needs and demands for safe links and access improvements are as well as extensive local history Cuttle Brook Volunteers replacing bridge at Cuttle Brook Nature Reserve in Thame (Thame Town Council) knowledge. This could feed into local action to make applications or provide evidence for applications by others to modifyfy the definitive map. The group can also choose to influence how the local neighbourhood works with planning applications in their area as these might be abble to provide the funding for these measures through developer contributions or local allocations under the Community Infrastructure Levy. Putting these access aspirations in the Commmunity-Ledd Plan or Neighbourhhood Plan may add weight to the requests for these measures to be provided from developments. vi. Promote best routes for locals and visitorrs – Local councils and community groups are often best placed to promote their local area to residents, visitors and touristts, and encourage use of their local facilities such as village shops, cafes, 43

v2. Parish Path ‘Wardens’– how this recently developed approach does and could further improve countryside access management

Fig 12: Activities and roles that could be undertaken – or i Local person are undertaken checking already routes regularly

vi Working to a ii Hand tool clearance of volunteer area coordinator stiles, gates, and signposts

Parish Path ‘Wardens’

iii Photo- recording and v Liaising with measuring parish and issues sent landowners through by OCC iv Checking and cleaning/ replacing waymarks and signs

i. Local person checking routes regularly– A These are usual practice for walkers and Parish Path Warden (PPW) living riders on paths and no special provision or reasonably locally to an area and working permission is needed. A development of through the Ramblers or other group is this is to form working groups of able to check routes regularly. By volunteers to undertake smaller scale undertaking to check all the rights of way clearances using hand tools like loppers in a designated area, problems can be and bowsaws but these activities normally spotted at an early stage and steps put in require training and insurance from an place at a local level before they escalate. organisation such as the Ramblers, and More serious problems can be identified authority to undertake works on the quickly and the appropriate information County Council’s behalf from the area obtained so that OCC officers can Rights of Way Field Officer. minimise delays in resolving them, which iii. Photo-recording and measuring issues encourages a sense of ownership of sent through by OCC – The PPW could be shared responsibility and pride in a local in a better position to be the eyes on the area. ground which reduces the need for OCC ii. Hand tool clearance of stiles, gates, and officers based centrally to drive out to sites signposts – Carrying a pair of secateurs is to inspect an item for risk assessment and one of the best ways to keep paths clear prioritisation. By visiting the site and of stray barbs of bramble, especially recording the item or issue with digital around stiles and signposts. Another photography and taking measurements useful item is a cloth to wipe signposts and emailing these through (or reporting and waymarkers clear of algae or mud. via the interactive mapping tool) it will

enable the path warden to make a real awareness of what tthe issues are in the difference in their local areas. This area. This does not have to be a formal information could then be passed to the arrangement and thhe warden doesn’t have OCC officer or to the local community to be an elected or co-opted member or group as appropriate. officer of that council, but some councils already have such a person. The warden iv. Checking and cleaning/replacing waymarks and signs - Replacing existing could feed back what they find to the faded or damaged waymarker discs is a council and this would allow the council to simple procedure and, although a consider the next stteps that members relatively low priority for officers, really would like to see. There is also nothing to helps enable people to be able to follow stop path wardens speaking to farmers they mee the line of a right of way more easily which t on the paths or making contact reduces the likelihood of trespass. The with farmers, landowners or householders PPW could be issued with a supply of provided certain guiidelines are followed. waymarkers and this activity could be vi. Working to a volunteer local coordinator – undertaken as part of their coverage of an To be most effective the PPWs should area over a period of time. The same have a volunteer area coordinator to help applies to replacing fingerpost plates and the individual PPWs to feed into and who giving them a wipe over to enhance could then be the principle contact for legibilitty. OCC. The person or persons may enable v. Liaising with parish and landowners - a standard approach to be taken and help Ideally all PPWs should have a connection to manage expectattions and increase the flow of in to the local council for the area they are formation. checking so that there is a shared

Potential Parish Path Wardens atttend training session with OCC staff (OCC)

45 v3. Groups undertaking practical improvements – how their work can improve countryside access management

Fig 13: Activities and roles that could be undertaken – or i Self-insuring are undertaken and technically already competent

vi Accurate ii Survey record routes based keeping and on parish & photo- community recording needs Groups undertaking practical works iii Negotiate v Work agreement for undertaken improvements adds to with accessibility landowners iv Agree specification and line with OCC officers

i. Self-insuring and technically competent – work, that there is a need for the work to Depending on the level of work carried be undertaken in the group’s local area, out, groups undertaking practical works and that the OCC officer has capacity to on public rights of way need to be able to work with the group. carry out their work with a minimum of ii. Survey routes based on parish & risk to the public, themselves or the community needs – Working directly with farming and natural environment they are the communities and neighbourhoods is operating in. Their work should also have one of the best ways for a group to meet limited need for OCC officer the public’s needs, especially if work is commitment. There are long-established linked to community-led plans or groups such as the South Chilterns Path statutory Neighbourhood Plans. The Maintenance Volunteers and the local group can identify potential routes Cotswolds Voluntary Wardens which or individual paths to be worked on, have performed this practical role for a survey the routes to identify what is number of years and who work closely needed, meet with the OCC officer to with OCC officers. New groups linked to agree what they can do and to ensure user groups or local neighbourhoods and the correct timings and processes are communities may be capable of undertaken. Groups might also emulating this work or working towards encourage wider sections of the this, and this will generally be welcomed, community to get involved. providing there is an organisation behind

the group that insures, trains and iii. Negotiate agreement for improvements coordinates the group’s work, there are with landowners – When groups are enough members to be able to undertake confident and competent there is nothing 46

wrong with them approaching are being spent. There is always a landowners, householders and farmers balance to be reached between directly to undertake improvement works controlling the movement of livestock, on their behalf. This can be especially the terrain, and making the furniture as effective when a group member creates least restrictive as possible – and the a relaationship with an estate or propeerty OCC officer will be able to provide a owner which means a greater number of professional opinion. improovements and works can be vi. Accurate record keeping and photo- unde rtaken and there are efficienciees of recording – In order to optimise OCC for delive e scale ries and access to the officer time commiitments to volunteer vario us sites. This type of work can also and community groups and demonstrate be attractive to external grant funders the value of these groups’ work it is vital such as the Trust for Oxfordshire’s that record keeping is good. This will be Environment (TOE2). the responsibility of the group to iv. Agree specification and line with OCC coordinate. A key part of this is taking officerrs - Before agreements are made digital photos at all stages in the projects the group should always liaise with the - especially at path survey, when the OCC officer to ensure that works are on works are being undertaken, and when the legal line, the specification and the works are complete. If the images timings are reasonable and appropriate could be taken in tthe same locations with for the area, access to the site is agreed, the same viewpoint then this makes and that ongoing maintenance comparison easier. For post-works respoonsibilities are confirmed from the publicity to the local community or wider outsett. media then images showing people working and using the paths are very v. Work undertaken adds to accessibility – good. I Any proposed changes to furniture mages are aalso essential to help (gates etc.) should meet Equalities Act funders decide on allocation of funds and they too tests for reasonableness and need durinng and aftere shots for their re BS5709:2006 standard. Although cords and ongoing publicity. farmers with public rights of way acrross Lastly, any land-owners who have given their land are not generally classed as permission should always be thanked ‘service -providers’, it is important too after the work has been completed and assess the accessibility and the impact acknowledged in any media item with their ag of thee item of furniture when public fuunds reement.

47 Cotswolds Volunteer Wardens busy installing kissing gate (OCC)

Summary This Rights of Way Management Plan sets A bi-annual RoWMP delivery/business plan out Oxfordshire County Council’s will look back over the achievements and assessment, vision and aims for the challenges of the preceding two years management and improvement of the before setting out aspirations for the public rights of way and countryside coming year. This will feed into team and access network. The County Council will individual performance plans and reports to try to meet its responsibilities and, by stakeholders. The content of each working closely with other authorities and delivery/business plan will be directly organisations, local communities, dependent on the level of resources that volunteers and other partners, it is hoped are available at that time. All information that significant added value and will be on the dedicated web pages at improvements can be achieved. www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/rowip.

Bibliography Bird, William Dr (2004) Natural Fit, Can Green Space and Biodiversity increase Levels of Physical Activity? RSPB www.rspb.org.uk/images/natural_fit_full_version_tcm9-133055.pdf British Horse Society (2012) Equestrian Statistics www.bhs.org.uk/our-charity/press- centre/equestrian-statistics Department for Transport (2012) Blue Badge Scheme statistics 2011/12 www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/49677/blue-badge-stats-from- 2012-final.pdf Department of Health (2004) Choosing Health, Making Health Choices Easier www.dh.gov.uk/en/publicationsandstatistics/publications/publicationspolicyandguidance/dh_4094550 Department for Farming and Rural Affairs (2002) Rights of Way Improvement Plans - Statutory Guidance to Local Highway Authorities in England DEFRA, London Hosker Yvonne, Bovey Helen, Smith Steve (2003) Rights of Way Improvement Plans Accessibility and the needs of people with a visual impairment of mobility problem. Report to Defra (2011) The Natural Choice Natural Environment White Paper www.official- documents.gov.uk/document/cm80/8082/8082.pdf Natural England (2014) Monitoring of Engagement with the Natural Environment 2009-2013 survey findings www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/evidence/mene.aspx NHT (2014) National Highways and Transport Network Survey 2014 survey results. http://nhtsurvey.econtrack.co.uk Office for National Statistics (2012) 2011 Census for England and Wales www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/census/2011/index.html Oxford City Council (2013) Oxford Greenspaces Strategy 2013-2027 www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decLP/Parks_and_open_spaces_occw.htm Oxfordshire County Council (2006) Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2006-2011 www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/rowip Oxfordshire County Council (2012) Initial Assessment of the first Oxfordshire Rights of Way Improvement Plan www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/rowip Oxfordshire County Council (2013) Use and satisfaction with access to Oxfordshire’s countryside 2012 Summer Survey Results www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/oxfordshires-rights-way- improvement-plan. Oxfordshire County Council (2014) Connecting Oxfordshire: Public consultation on a new Local Transport Plan www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/public-site/local-transport-plan-consultation PTMA (2014) Pet Population 2014 Pet Food Manufacturers Association www.pfma.org.uk/pet- population-2014

Glossary of terms

Access Land, Land that has been mapped and is subject to the new rights of access, mainly on Open Access foot. Land is either Mountain, Moor, Heath, Downland or Registered Common Land, Land – sometimes known as the “right to roam”. AONB Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Oxfordshire has three - Chilterns, Cotswolds and North Wessex Downs, each with their own management team and management plan. BHS British Horse Society BOAT, Byway Byway Open to All Traffic a highway over which the public have a right of way for vehicular and all other kinds of traffic but which is used by the public mainly for the purpose for which footpaths and bridleways are used. Waymarked by red arrows Bridleway Public Bridleway A highway over which the public have a right of way on foot and a right of way on horseback or leading a horse, but with or without a right to drive animals of any description along it. Bicycles may also be ridden on bridleways. Waymarked by blue arrows. BS5709:2006 British Standard Covers the specification for gaps, gates and stiles. BVPI 178 Best Value Performance Indicator BVPI 178 related to ‘ease of use’ of public rights of way. Ceased being a statutory indicator but still used by many authorities to measure the state of the network. Citizens A panel of 3000 Oxfordshire residents run by the County Council that is used to Panel/ gain an understanding of the public’s opinion on a number of matters. Oxfordshire Countryside Access questions were included in the September 2002, 2006 and Voice 2008 Citizens Panel survey. Later surveys were internet based. Common Land Land usually held in private ownership but with certain rights of registered “commoners” to use it and with a right of access to the public on foot to most registered commons. Recorded in Commons Registers CLA Country Land and Business Association CoAg/ Countryside Agency Government agency that lead on countryside access. Natural From 2006 renamed Natural England and combined the land, access and England recreation part of CoAg combines with English Nature and the RDS Countryside The part of Oxfordshire County Council who’s work includes protecting, Access Team maintaining, improving and promoting public rights of way and other countryside access resources. Close working with the Definitive Map and Commons Team CRoW Act Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 – part I established the new right of access to access land, Part II set out improvements to rights of way legislation (including the duty to prepare RoWIPs), part III strengthened laws about wildlife and nature conservation, Part IV dealt with AONBs and Conservation Boards, Part V contained the provisions to establish LAFs. Cycle Track A way over which there is a right to cycle, and possibly also to walk. CTC Cyclists’ Touring Club DDA Disability Discrimination Act (1995 and 2005) de facto Access which is available on the ground, even though it may not be officially access recorded. Definitive Map The part of Oxfordshire County Council wh whose work includes producing and and Commons keeping under review the DMS. Team undertakes DMMOs, PPOs, Public Path Team Agreements and also maintains statutory registers. DM&S Definitive Map and Statement Legal document comprising maps and written information, which records the existence of those rights. Other rights may exist, but may not be recorded. The DMS is not conclusive of the non-existence of rights which are not recorded. These may be recorded by means of a DMMO. DMMO Definitive Map Modification Order Legal order which changes the Definitive Map and Statement if confirmed. 49

Defra Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Government department whose responsibilities include rights of way. de jure access Access rights which are recorded legally (“based on law”). DfT Department for Transport Government department responsible for highways other than rights of way. Discovering Project set up by the Countryside Agency to research historic rights of way Lost Ways before the Definitive Map closes to historic claims in 2026. Project Diversion The changing of the route of a right of way on the ground using a legal order. ERDP England Rural Development Programme The ERDP comprises seven separate but integrated schemes designed to help rural businesses and communities protect the countryside and adapt to the demands of an increasingly competitive rural economy – includes Environmental Stewardship. English Government agency responsible for the historic built environment and Heritage archaeology. Environment Government agency responsible for river management, waste management, Agency pollution control and other environmental matters. Equalities Act Replaced the DDA 2012 Finger post A signpost placed where a public right of way leaves a metalled road. Shows the status, direction, and where appropriate the destination and distance. Footpath Public Footpath A highway over which the right of way is on foot only. Waymarked by yellow arrows. Footway A way set aside for pedestrians at the edge of a carriageway (a pavement). GIS Geographic Information System a computer system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and displaying geographically referenced information (ie spatial data). Green lane A common term with no legal meaning. A physical description of an unsurfaced track, often enclosed by hedges. The land may be a public right of way or may carry no public rights at all. Highway A way over which the public have the right to pass and re-pass Highway The body responsible for the maintaining of highways and keeping them free of Authority obstructions. In Oxfordshire it is the County Council. Highways Government agency responsible for trunk roads and motorways. Agency LAF Local Access Forum The countryside access advisory body established by the County Council under the CRoW Act 2000. Comprised of volunteers including land managers, users and other relevant interested parties. Oxfordshire’s LAF is known as the Oxfordshire Countryside Access Forum (OCAF). National Trail Long distance route supported by Natural England. NFU National Farmers’ Union ORPA Other Route with Public Access A non-statutory designation route shown by the OS on its Landranger and Explorer mapping. Generally includes unsurfaced UCRs. OS Ordnance Survey Government owned company that produces and licences map based information. OCAF Oxfordshire Countryside Access Forum – see LAF

OCC Oxfordshire County Council Path In this document a shorthand term for all public rights of way and other linear access routes Permissive Path made available through the goodwill of the landowner. It may be withdrawn path at any time and the public have no permanent rights over it. Permissive Paths are not usually shown on the DMS or OS maps. PPO Public Path Order Legal order which creates, extinguishes or diverts a footpath ,bridleway or restricted byway. Private Right A right of way for an individual or any group other than the public at large. of Way PRoW Public Right of Way Public Right A right of passage by the public over the highway for the purpose of passing and of Way re-passing and for incidental reasonable purposes. There are four classes of rights – Footpaths, for walkers, Bridleways for walkers, horse riders and pedal cyclists, Restricted Byways for all users except mechanically propelled, and Byways for all users RA Ramblers’ Association Recreational Using the rights of way network for informal enjoyment or exercise. use Restricted Highway open to all traffic except mechanically propelled vehicles waymarked by Byway purple arrows. RoWIP Rights of Way Improvement Plan A statutory plan that assesses access and sets out an authority’s ambitions to manage and improve this access. Oxfordshire’s second RoWIP is called a ROWMP ROWMP Rights of Way Management Plan Oxfordshire County Council’s term for the second statutory Rights of Way Improvement Plan Spatial Relating to distribution, distance, direction, areas and other aspects of space on the Earth's surface. Surveying The body responsible for the preparation and upkeep of the DMS. Authority SUSTRANS SUSTainable TRANsport A charity that works on practical projects to encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport. Also manages a national network of cycle routes. Tourism Includes tourist attractions, destination marketing organisations and tourism providers officers working for local authorities. Town and Land which local inhabitants can use for recreation purposes Village Greens TOE2 Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment A charity that aims to support communities and other organisations through grant funding to improve biodiversity, access and make better use of renewable resources UCR Unclassified Road or Unclassified County Road These are minor highways, sometimes surfaced. They are generally maintainable at public expense. Utilitarian Path which is used by people going about their daily lives e.g. used to get to routes school, work, bus stops and local facilities. Waymark A means of showing the route of a public right of way. Oxfordshire uses round plastic discs with the status of the route and an arrow to show direction. Usually mounted on a wooden post or attached to stiles, gates and bridges.

Document produced by OCC Countryside Access Team, October 2014. General contact details: Oxfordshire County Council Countryside Access Team Signal Court, Old Station Way Eynsham OX29 4TL 01865 810226 [email protected]