Cover Ardal Harddwch - Arwel:Layout 1 6/5/08 19:12 Page 3 Cyngor SirYnys Môn ● The Isle of Anglesey County Council Ynys Môn AngleseyTHE ISLE OF Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2008 - 2018 Saesneg - Cynllun Ardal Harddwch:Layout 1 5/5/08 20:19 Page 1 Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2008 - 2018 www.anglesey.gov.uk Saesneg - Cynllun Ardal Harddwch:Layout 1 5/5/08 20:19 Page 2 Saesneg - Cynllun Ardal Harddwch:Layout 1 5/5/08 20:19 Page 3 1.0 Introduction 1.1 The Isle of Anglesey Rights of Way Improvement Plan – What is it? 1.2 What ROWIP will do for you 1.3 Who has been consulted? 2.0 Policy Context 2.1 Link to the Regional Transport Plan Contents 3.0 Anglesey’s Highway Network 3.1 Public Rights of Way 3.2 Types of Rights of Way 3.3 Extent of the Rights of Way Network 3.4 The Road Network Map1–LinearAccess on Anglesey Map 2 – Area Access on Anglesey 3.5 Introduction to Anglesey 3.6 Anglesey’s Environment 3.7 Current Access Provision 4.0 Maintenance of the Network 4.1 Current Workings of the Rights of Way Unit – ROW maintenance 4.1.1 Safeguarding the network 4.1.2 Monitoring and Inspections 4.2 Current Condition 4.3 What People Want – Maintenance issues 4.4 Conclusion 4.5 Statements of Action - Maintenance 5.0 Improvements to the Network 5.1 What People Want - Improvements 5.2 Conclusion 5.3 Statements of Action - Improvements 6.0 A Better Environment – Sustainable Transport, Land Use and Environmental Education 6.1 Sustainable transport 6.2 Linking Land Management with Access 6.3 Traditional Features in the Countryside 6.4 Sustainability of Products 6.5 Aesthetics of Products and Works Undertaken www.anglesey.gov.uk Saesneg - Cynllun Ardal Harddwch:Layout 1 5/5/08 20:19 Page 4 6.6 Education 6.7 Conclusion 6.8 Statements of Action – A Better Environment 7.0 The Definitive Map and Changes to Rights of Way 7.1 Definitive Map consolidation 7.2 Lost Ways 7.3 Public Path Orders 7.4 What people want – The Definitive Map and Changes to Rights of Way 7.5 Conclusion & Policy Statements Contents 7.6 Statements of Action - The Definitive Map and Changes to Rights of Way 8.0 Health and Well Being 8.1 BTCV Green Gym 8.2 Walking your Way to Health / Step Out 8.3 Urban Walks Scheme 8.4 North Wales Outdoor Challenge 5x30 Scheme 8.5 User Needs Assessment – Health and Well Being 8.6 Conclusion 8.7 Statements of Action – Health and Well Being 9.0 Encouraging Greater use through promotion 9.1 Available Literature, Interpretation and Publicity 9.2 Current Economic Impact of Coastal Path 9.3 User Needs Assessment - Encouraging Greater Use and Promotion 9.4 Getting Information across to the Public 9.5 Conclusion 9.6 Statements of Action - Encouraging Greater Use and Promotion 10.0 Monitoring 11.0 Appendices Appendix 1 Policies Appendix 2 Prosecutions Working Practice Appendix 3 Questionnaire Surveys www.anglesey.gov.uk Saesneg - Cynllun Ardal Harddwch:Layout 1 5/5/08 20:19 Page 5 The Isle of Anglesey Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) has been produced in accordance to the requirements set out within the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW). With regard to its content, the ROWIP is required to assess the extent of all access in the county with a view to meeting the present and likely future needs of the public, and the opportunities which this access provision gives for open air recreation. The existing access provision has been reviewed, and attainable improvements formulated as Statements of Action. These include new rights of way, cycle routes and bridleways, and the general improvement to the network, which will bring about a wider user base, and from this health benefits, an improved economy, and a better understanding of the environment. The maintenance and improvement of access on the island is one of many activities that the Isle of Anglesey County Council is statutorily obligated to control, and for this plan, policy context has been reviewed, and where relevant recommendations made with regard to improving cross-departmental activities to improve the way access can be used as a tool to impact positively upon the lives of local people. The core of the plan is to act as a document which not only changes the way in which the council views all access on the island, but how it manages and funds this resource. The statements of action illustrate the recommendations in terms of what is needed to Executive Summary provide an improved network, and give an indication of costs, timescales and partners who can enhance the programmes development. These actions have been brought about following a wide ranging consultation process with members of Anglesey’s population and groups who have an interest in access provision. Currently only 48% of the 1076km of rights of way on the island are useable and free from obstruction, with an estimated cost of £1.9 million required to upgrade the other 52% to standard. However this plan illustrates a greater need to add value to the network rather than simply opening all existing access. This means enhancing routes that locals and tourists alike would benefit from, and a greater number of circular walks in locations from urban sites through to rural recreational routes. Allied to this is an evidential need for more cycle routes, and bridleways both for potential economic gain, but also recreation and associated health benefits. The economic spin-off of such work has the potential for injecting millions of pounds directly into the rural economy, as the £12 million the coastal path lone creates illustrates. www.anglesey.gov.uk Saesneg - Cynllun Ardal Harddwch:Layout 1 5/5/08 20:19 Page 6 For the plan to be successfully implemented, it is important that the council secures substantial extra funding from both internal and external funding, but equally important is the need to build a partnership approach to public access with all parties, and provide the general public with information as to the availability of routes. An improved access network which can provide the people of Anglesey with a resource for enjoyment, education and health benefits goes beyond the normal remit of the highways department. However, by adapting its work to acknowledge public demand in 2008, a truly important asset to the island can be delivered. Executive Summary www.anglesey.gov.uk Saesneg - Cynllun Ardal Harddwch:Layout 1 5/5/08 20:19 Page 7 Introduction 1.0 Saesneg - Cynllun Ardal Harddwch:Layout 1 5/5/08 20:19 Page 8 1.0 Introduction The rights of way network, which criss-crosses the length and breadth of Anglesey, is a legally protected resource which has over the years developed from being a fundamental means of travel in the days before cars, to now a recreational facility generating a significant economic return. The potential for using the network as a tool for generating economic return and health benefits however has only recently been appreciated, with the 2001 Foot and Mouth epidemic proving an eye opener to users, landowners and regulatory authorities. It is a common fact to the vast majority of Wales that this important resource has been under-funded for many years as higher classes of highway, and indeed more grand but arguably unsustainable ‘quick return’ economic development projects have taken precedence. The network is however, far more than just an economic development tool, as it provides the best means of enjoying Anglesey’s wonderful countryside, learning about the islands heritage, and improving the health of the population. From the outset this study intended to highlight the importance of the rights of way network, and all other access on the island. Furthermore through an all inclusive consultation endeavours to investigate what the people of Anglesey feel they want from a rights of way network in 2007, and how improvements can be made which encourage more enjoyment of the network and develop a healthy partnership between landowners, organisations and users. This ‘grass-roots’ input, and partnership working, is fundamental to the successful implementation of the statements of action set out in this plan, as alone the rights of way unit does not have the capacity to fulfil the potential wide ranging benefits laid out. The work focuses predominantly on the key issues requiring analysis, arranged into a format which gives quick and easy reference. 1.1 The Isle of Anglesey Rights of Way Improvement Plan – What is it? The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 introduced a requirement for local highway authorities to produce a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) by the 1st November 2007, for the management and improvement of local rights of way. The ROWIP is intended to be a tool for implementing improvements to the rights of way network and other non motorised routes, which takes into account the needs and aspirations of the user. It is not designed to provide detailed solutions to specific access issues, but instead sets out a strategic approach to the management of the network. Under the act, highway authorities are to undertake the production of a ROWIP that contains an assessment of: • The extent to which local rights of way meet the present and likely future needs of the public • The opportunities provided by local rights of way for exercise and other forms of open-air recreation and the enjoyment of the authority’s area www.anglesey.gov.uk Saesneg - Cynllun Ardal Harddwch:Layout 1 5/5/08 20:19 Page 9 • The accessibility of local rights of way to blind or partially sighted persons and others with mobility problems • Value of access for the islands economy It is an intention of this plan to not just look at rights of way marked on the definitive map and statement, but to holistically look at the great many paths, tracks and open country not marked on the definitive map, but to which the public have access.