Powys Rights of Way Improvement Plan Foreword I am delighted to deliver the Rights of Way Improvement Plan to the people of Powys. Following extensive consultation with the public, landholders, users, Town and Community Councils and many others, a number of amendments have been made to the draft plan so as to incorporate many of the suggestions put forward. It is clear that countryside access is an important issue, and a highly valued asset to the people of Powys and those who visit the county. The Council’s Corporate Improvement Plan highlights five priority themes. This Plan addresses those themes directly and sets out significant aims, objectives and actions to deliver them. As such, engagement with this Plan will make a real and meaningful contribution to all the Council’s key objectives. This plan presents the Council’s aspirations regarding countryside access for the next decade. I am confident it will serve to progress real improvements in access across Powys. In undertaking and delivering this Plan, I would also like to pay tribute to Nina Bufton, who has been seconded within the Countryside Services team as ROWIP Officer. It is because of her enthusiasm, dedication and determination that this Plan has been produced to such a high standard and on time. County Councillor Gareth Morgan Portfolio holder for Countryside Services Contents Foreword 1 Vision 4 Executive Summary 5 Section 1 Rights of Way Improvement – Context 7 1.1 Introduction 7 1.2 The County of Powys 7 1.3 Powys County Council 9 1.4 Public Rights of Way & Countryside Access in Powys 10 1.5 The Council’s Strategic Priorities and Targets 12 1.6 Strategic Context 16 Section 2 Assessing the needs of users 19 2.1 Introduction 19 2.2 Survey Responses 20 2.3 Findings 21 - 29 2.4 User Group Assessments 30 - 37 2.5 Assessing the needs of People with Mobility and Sensory Difficulties 38 - 42 2.6 User Needs Assessment Conclusions 42 2.7 Strategic Findings 43 Section 3 Theme A - Condition of the Public Rights of Way Network 45 3.1 The Network 45 2 3.2 Condition of the Network 50 3.3 Improving the Public Rights of Way Network 51 3.4 The Need for Improving and Maintaining the Public Rights of Way Network 53 3.5 The Current Situation 53 Section 4 Theme B - Management and Enforcement of Public Rights of Way 55 4.1 Introduction 55 4.2 Countryside Services Team 55 4.3 Existing Policies and Working Practices 55 4.4 Priority Community Areas 56 4.5 Signage 56 4.6 Tir Gofal 57 4.7 Health & Safety 58 4.8 Open Access in Powys 59 4.9 Powys Countryside Volunteers 61 4.10 Enforcement 63 4.11 Biodiversity 63 4.12 Recreational Trails 66 Section 5 Theme C - Definitive Map & Statement 71 – 76 Section 6 Theme D - Publicity & Promotion Review 77 – 81 Section 7 Internal & External Partners 82 – 90 Section 8 Public Rights of Way Action Plan 91 3 Vision The county of Powys has, within its boundary, diverse and distinctive landscapes, which support a great range of species and habitats as well as being home to many sites of archaeological and scientific significance. The provision of high quality access to Powys’ countryside and support for its biodiversity and heritage is at the heart of the work of Countryside Services. Public rights of way and Access Land offer unrivalled opportunities for the enjoyment of the Powys countryside. This Rights of Way Improvement Plan is the means by which Powys County Council will plan and prioritise improvements to the current access available in the county, and will assist others in Powys in developing an accessible countryside. The Plan will set out the priorities and objectives of future work. The vision of this Plan is to have a well-utilised, well-managed, meaningful and accessible countryside across Powys, supported by high quality information. To achieve this vision, four themes have been identified which broadly address the areas of improvement that will be targeted. These are: Theme A Condition of the Public Rights of Way Network Theme B Management and Enforcement of Public Rights of Way and Access Land Theme C Definitive Map and Statement Theme D Publicity and Promotion 4 Executive Summary This Rights of Way Improvement Plan has been produced as required by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, and is the end product of two years of consultations, workshops, assessments and meetings. The Plan sought the needs and aspirations of landholders, users and non-users of Powys’ public rights of way network. Tourism interests and Town and Community Councils were also involved in giving their views and ambitions for the future. This complex wealth of information has been looked at in conjunction with an assessment of the network and its current condition, and set against a backdrop of other national and local strategies and plans. This information has been used to set out a framework for improving access to the countryside. The results have revealed that there is much in common between the various interested parties. There is overwhelming support for improving the condition of the public rights of way network, with a target of reaching an 80% open and easy-to-use network by 2017 being set out in the Plan. In considering a programme to continue opening and developing the network, attention was also paid to the demand for keeping paths in good condition, once they have been opened up. In examining this issue, Countryside Services and the three Powys Local Access Forums have acknowledged that this demand will present strategic and financial challenges if both aspirations are to be met within the lifetime of the Plan. Consultation has highlighted support for prioritisation of opening public rights of way to and across Access Land. The development of local circular trails has also proved to be very popular with consultees, as did increasing the role of volunteers in opening up public rights of way and in their long-term management. Proposals to seek further funds to develop circular trails and expand volunteer support are set out in the Action Plan. Powys’ National and Recreational Trails are well received with strong support for maintaining and improving infrastructure and information on the existing trails. There was only limited support for creating new long distance routes in Powys, with much more importance placed on developing local, accessible routes. Consultation has shown that the public rights of way network currently provides the poorest access opportunities for those with mobility or sensory difficulties. Following discussions with local disability groups, a ‘least restrictive’ working 5 practice has been adopted affecting all areas of countryside access work, from the installation of path furniture to the production of information leaflets. The proposals in this Plan support the goals of key national and local strategies, particularly those relating to • improving the nations’ health and well being, • creating a more sustainable environment and • supporting the local economy. The Plan also sets out how it will contribute towards key objectives in the County Council’s Corporate Improvement Plan and Powys Community Strategy. Working with internal and external partners will be crucial to achieving these aims and goals. 6 Section 1 Rights of Way Improvement - Context 1.1 Introduction Powys County Council as the local Highway Authority is required under Section 60 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW) to publish a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP). This ROWIP sets out how the Council will seek to manage the public rights of way network for the benefit of the residents and landowners of Powys, as well as visitors to the area over the next ten years. The plan will be the prime means by which Powys County Council will identify, prioritise and plan for improvements to their local rights of way network, and in doing so make better provision for walkers, cyclists, equestrians and people with mobility 1 problems. Part of the county of Powys, and its public rights of way network, lies within the Brecon Beacons National Park (BBNP). After agreement with its constituent County Councils, the National Park Authority has undertaken its own ROWIP. Countryside Services Officers from Powys County Council have been involved and consulted throughout their ROWIP process. 1.2 The County of Powys Powys is an extensive, largely upland county covering 2,000 square miles, about a quarter of Wales. With a population of only 1 person for every 10 acres (4 hectares), it is one of the most sparsely populated local authority areas in England and Wales. The population of Powys is 126,354 (2001 Census) and this figure is growing at the third highest rate in Wales. Over 20% of the population classify themselves as being a Welsh speaker. The county has tremendous landscape assets; from the Berwyn Mountains in the north, through the rolling hills of the Radnor Forest to the dramatic Brecon Beacons National Park in the south; it also includes some of Britain’s most spectacular river valleys - the Severn, Wye and Usk. The economy is based on agriculture and tourism, with high self-employment and small businesses predominating. There is also an important contribution to employment opportunities from the public sector. Nearly 11% of the population is employed in agriculture, forestry or fishing compared to the Welsh average which is only 2.5%. Powys also has the highest car ownership in Wales with only 17.5% of households not owning a car or van. 1 Welsh Assembly Government, Rights of Way Improvement Plans: Guidance to Local Highway Authorities in Wales, 2002.