North Somerset Council Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2007 – 2017 (Revised November 2010)

North Somerset Council Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2007 – 2017 (revised November 2010) Improving Public Access and Local Rights of Way in North Somerset 3 North Somerset Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2007 – 2017 ‘off-road’ driving, whether for recreation or for Forward commuting. Co-ordination of our efforts with those of other government agencies, with I am pleased to be able to regard to agricultural policy, rural introduce this revised diversification, development and so on, Rights of Way will allow us to ensure greater ‘joined Improvement Plan. up’ thinking to the benefit of all. Understanding of the scope of the Whilst the current plan council’s work, and satisfaction with it, runs until 2017 we have should be boosted as the public gets made some minor directly involved in planning and amendments in order to monitoring progress as we implement the link and integrate the plan Plan. with the next phase of the Local Transport Plan. The North Somerset Local Access Forum, and officers from inside, and outside, the council have The Plan heralds a new approach to managing our contributed to the development of this Plan. We local rights of way network - we will be aiming to consulted the public over the winter and received better provide what people want rather than only some detailed responses which we have addressed as focusing on satisfying our statutory duties. far as we can in this final version. However, a word of warning. The success of this plan will rely heavily on North Somerset Council’s countryside access work has the continuing help from volunteers, landowners and long recognised the breadth of benefits that the outside funding sources. For many projects and service can bring. It is a high priority for government existing maintenance works, the council can only act (locally, regionally and nationally) as a means of as an enabler - we simply do not have the financial supporting: resources or staffing available to do more. G our health, well-being and quality of life G sustainable transport and reduction of congestion Meanwhile, we expect to publish regular updates on G re-engagement with our countryside our progress towards implementation and to give you G the local economy. opportunities to let us know how you think we’re doing. Enjoy our countryside. I see great benefit in the council aligning the Local Transport Plan with the Plan we outline here for Councillor Elfan Ap Rees walking, cycling, horse-riding, carriage driving and Forward 4 2. Users and their needs Executive In order to identify the needs of different local rights of way users, we have listened to what people have told summary us locally and have reviewed research results undertaken across the country (which is reasonably consistent in terms of people’s needs). The Plan lists the 1. Introduction needs of: We (North Somerset Council) are pleased to publish G walkers (casual walkers, walkers with dogs, our Rights of Way Improvement Plan (the Plan). We ramblers, and those walking to work, to school or have produced the Plan in line with guidance to access services) produced by government and in compliance with our G cyclists (recreational and utilitarian), including legal duties. We believe that the actions proposed in cycling to work the Plan: G equestrians (horse riders and carriage drivers) G fit in with our strategy at local level and with G national government policy drivers of motor vehicles on unsealed roads G G will improve people’s quality of life people with a wide range of impairments including mobility, visual and hearing. G should help to boost the local economy. We also recognise that some people do not currently make use of the network but may be attracted to use it The North Somerset countryside has much to offer its in future. They too have their residents and our visitors, and local rights of way needs. provide one of the best ways of exploring and enjoying it. For many, the network also provides a The key points from this section are that: convenient, safe, healthy and enjoyable means of G getting to work or school. there are many different needs to try to satisfy G ‘walkers’ are a composite of different types, each The aims of the Plan are to: with its own needs and preferences and it will be G set out the actions needed to improve the local difficult to meet all these at all points of the rights of way network to meet identified needs of network. However, all walkers have a basic users requirement that routes are easily traceable, useable and welcoming G integrate rights of way with other transport G planning, including the Joint Local Transport Plan 3 cyclists, horse riders and drivers of horse-drawn (JLTP3) carriages are keen to have continuity of safe routes with minimum need to use busy main roads G help guide forward planning and development to G safeguard and improve the network motor vehicle drivers are looking for interesting and challenging off-road 1 routes that can be used G ensure that improvements needed to achieve good access are included in other strategies and funding without adverse effects (for example, appropriately bids surfaced, not obstructed, without conflict) G G secure wider involvement. mobility and visually impaired users have very diverse needs but much can be achieved by We have already consulted widely within North improving the information made available to them Somerset and published a draft Plan. This final revised G Local residents and visitors may be unaware of the Plan reflects comments and ideas we have received in access opportunities available and therefore response to the consultation. The Plan only covers represent a large potential source of extra usage North Somerset, although we will move towards G landowners and farmers are key stakeholders in integration with the Joint Local Transport Plan 3 (JLTP3) delivering a functional network and are keen to see in the future. network users made more aware of countryside matters. 1 The term ‘road’ is generally defined in statutes as including all classes of highway. This means that care is needed when using expressions such as ‘driving off-road’. Technically this should be interpreted as driving other than on a highway or any other road to which the public has access. For the purposes of the Plan, the term ‘off-road’ is used in the generally understood way of meaning ‘not on a sealed (tarmacked or concrete) highway’, rather than the legal one of ‘not on a public route’. 5 North Somerset Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2007 – 2017 3. Current provision G despite its limitations, the local rights of way The local rights of way network of North Somerset network can serve as an important part of the extends to 826km, the majority (704km) being transport network and its improvement will be an footpaths that can only be used by people on foot or important element in encouraging more by people dependent on mobility vehicles. The participation in walking and cycling balance comprises bridleways (85km), restricted G our research has identified a number of areas byways (37km) and byways (<1km). A small where we can make improvements. proportion of the network has been designed for use by people with limited mobility. However, the network is not evenly distributed with some areas having a 4. Improving public access and local dense network whilst others are only lightly covered. rights of way to meet identified needs Bringing the two assessments together reveals where We work continuously to maintain and improve the we need to focus our efforts. In summary, we believe condition of the network – namely the continuous the key shortfalls are: review of the legal record (the Definitive Map and Statement), its maintenance and its promotion. Casual walkers Although we achieve a standard comparable with G other authorities for ‘ease of use’ (as measured by the Need to reduce obstructions, improve signage and Best Value Performance Indicator 178), there is surfacing and thereby contribute to increasing the always room for improvement. ‘ease of use’ result. G More publicity/promotion/way marking. Public access is not restricted solely to local rights of way. Some landowners are happy to allow the public Walkers with dogs to use linear routes across their land, ranging from G Need for greater education amongst dog owners simply tolerating it to entering into legally-binding about what constitutes responsible behaviour and agreements with the government or the local authority. the risks to livestock (see appendix E for questions Further, the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 about legal aspects). (CROW ACT 2000) gave the public a right of access, G on foot for informal recreation, to areas mapped as Need for dog friendly routes/areas. ‘access land’. There are about 500ha of access land G Need for routes with suitable facilities. in North Somerset, supplemented by permissive access to some other areas. Ramblers G Need to increase ‘ease of use’ result. Key points made in this section are that: G More publicity/promotion. G despite the district’s relatively small size, it has an array of opportunities for the public to gain access Cyclists to the countryside G Only small percentage of local rights of way G the opportunities for walkers are reasonably well available for cyclists, and very little permissive. distributed around the area, meaning that most G Poor connectivity. people will have ready access to the countryside G Inadequate information. G the network available for use by cyclists, horse riders and drivers of horse-drawn carriages is small Multi-user routes (walkers and cyclists) and fragmented, meaning that continuity can, at G present, only be achieved by use of lanes and Does the network have sufficient links between trip roads, some of which are not well-suited for this generators – homes, schools, shops and places of use, or with permission of landowners work? G there is little scope for accommodating off-road motor vehicle drivers on the area’s current network Horse riders of local rights of way G Only small percentage of local rights of way are G there is limited provision of routes that can be used available for horse riders, and very little by the public with mobility and other impairments permissive.

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