Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) themes and objectives

ROWIP

reference

Time scale for completion

Reduce, manage or invest

Risk

Resources

Funding source and scale (£)

A well-maintained and safe access network

Produce a strategy to reduce the instances of laying of unauthorized tarmacadam surfaces on PROW and a policy to set out the District Council's approach to tarmacadam on PROW.

ROWIP 1

2009

Manage

Low

WBC

Revenue

£

Carry out a complete condition survey of all Definitive PROW every five years.

ROWIP 2

Ongoing

Invest

Medium

WBC

Volunteers

Revenue

Capital

££

ROWIP 2: additional data to be gathered will include: improvements needed to route marking; basic tree safety survey; disabled access audit; locations of signposts subject to fading or unauthorized alteration; checks on advisory notices e.g. restricted byways.

Investigate the feasibility of a limited scheme to remunerate landowners for carrying out repair, maintenance and improvement works on PROW.

ROWIP 3

2009

Manage

Medium

WBC

Landowners

Revenue

Capital

£

Implement measures to ensure that landowners maintain all hedges adjacent to PROW so as to prevent obstruction of PROW by overgrowth.

ROWIP 4

2009

Manage

Medium

WBC

Landowners

Revenue

£

Formally adopt the draft policy governing the maintenance of PROW used for access to residential properties, farms and other private land or establishments.

ROWIP 5

2009

Manage

Low

WBC

Revenue

£

Produce a design and consultation protocol for the repair, replacement and installation of bridges on PROW.

ROWIP 6

2009

Manage

Low

WBC

Revenue

£

Review PROW sign and waymark designs to reduce future instances of fading and unauthorized relocation or redirection.

ROWIP 7

2009

Manage

Low

WBC

Revenue

£(£)

ROWIP 7: Designs should respect the sensitivity of the landscape.

Remedy all unresolved PROW signage defects by the end of April each year.

ROWIP 8

Ongoing

Manage

Low

WBC

Volunteers

Revenue

Capital

££

Produce a prioritization scheme for the repair of surface defects and surface improvements on PROW.

ROWIP 9

2009

Manage

Low

WBC

Revenue

£

ROWIP 9: to include items for regular maintenance, e.g. surface-dressing and maintenance of ditches and drains

Produce a prioritization scheme for and policy for approach to enforcement (i.e. unauthorized interference) cases on PROW.

ROWIP 10

2009

Manage

Low

WBC

Revenue

£

ROWIP 10: work closely with DEFRA to maximise the potential of agricultural support payments to increase and improve access, including for those with restricted mobility, and improve implementation of landowners' statutory obligations.

Produce a prioritization scheme for PROW vegetation clearance work carried out by the District Council.

ROWIP 11

2009

Manage

Low

WBC

Revenue

£

A legally-recorded PROW network

`Consolidate' and publish the Definitive Map and Statement in a clear and useable format.

ROWIP 12

2010

Invest

Low

WBC

Revenue

££

ROWIP 12: “consolidation” of the Definitive Map and Statement refers to the process of incorporating all legal changes into a newly-produced Map and Statement. As many known errors in the documents as possible need to be rectified prior to consolidation.

Each year to complete the processing of the annually-agreed list of applications for modification orders and path orders.

ROWIP 13

Ongoing

Manage

Low

WBC

Revenue

££

ROWIP 13: the list is to be agreed in advance by Council members with the advice of officers. Applications for modification orders are requests by the public for inclusion in the Definitive Map and Statement. The District Council has a statutory duty to process such applications. Applications for path orders are requests for diversion, extinguishment or creation of rights of way and the Council may accept or reject these at its own discretion.

Produce a published prioritization scheme for dealing with applications for modification orders and applications for path orders.

ROWIP 14

2009

Manage

Low

WBC

Revenue

£

ROWIP 14: to include a consideration of an appropriate approach to unofficial changes to routes which have been generally accepted by the public.

Carry out risk assessments for trees within PROW and formulate a prioritized plan of action to ensure the safety of PROW users.

ROWIP 15

2010

Invest

Medium

WBC

Volunteers

Revenue

££

An environmentally-sustainable access network

Implement methods to prevent fly-tipping and littering of PROW and also improved methods for clearance of litter and fly-tipping when instances occur.

ROWIP 16

Ongoing

Meduim

Low

WBC

AONB

National Trails Office

Volunteers

Revenue

££

Implement improved sustainable procurement and working practices in the context of WBC's Cleaner Greener Strategy and Action Plan.

ROWIP 17

Ongoing

Manage

Low

WBC

Revenue

£

Introduce improved environmentally-sustainable working practices, which also protect and enhance biodiversity and historic landscape and features, via a review of procedures and ongoing monitoring of environmental effects.

ROWIP 18

Ongoing

Manage

Low

WBC

Revenue

£

ROWIP 18: work within the context of the biodiversity action plan and European Habitats Regulations 2007.

ROWIP 18: relevant procedures would include: vegetation clearance; the provenance of surfacing materials and their compatibility with local aesthetics, soil type and geology; surface repair specification and the need to reduce surface water run-off entering watercourses and to accommodate future flash-flooding events and other effects of climate change. Also, the need to ensure that works are consistent with historic landscape characterization. Measures are needed in order to comply with the European Habitat Regulations.

Providing information / promoting the use of the access network

Increase the availability of PROW / access information and promotional material and explore greater use of a wider range of formats, to compliment relevant work carried out by others.

ROWIP 19

Ongoing

Invest

Medium

WBC

AONB

Access user groups

Parishes

Revenue

Capital

££

Introduce means actively to promote PROW / access and gather feedback.

ROWIP 20

Ongoing

Manage

Medium

WBC

AONB

Access user groups

Parishes

Revenue

Capital

££

ROWIP 20: examples of formats for promotional material: web sites, which also link to relevant work of others; layers on electronic maps; other electronic means; on-site weather-proof leaflet holders.

Examples of active promotion: local businesses and shops; village notice boards and newsletters; user group magazines; local papers and books; churches; museums; libraries; surgeries; leisure centres; gyms; attendance at shows and other events; Tourist Information Centres; Yellow Pages; CLIVe bus; school visits to farms; farm visits to schools/landowners to talk to schools; business and school travel plans; wardens on site to give advice; supporting, where possible, programmes of themed educational guided walks; considering the use of “footfall counters” to gauge demand for and use of routes; actively seeking improved transport services for recreational users; seeking the views of PROW users via regular liaison meetings; considering the use of “drop-in” surgeries; reports to the press; contact with Neighbourhood Action Groups; improved publicity for WBC work done; considering mailing of all households.

There is also a need to introduce imaginative means to form new perspectives to people regarding their perceptions of the countryside. One example of how this might be achieved would be through artistic connections. Such approaches may also be beneficial for people who do not at present visit the countryside.

Increase the number of publications which promote and encourage the use of PROW / access, to compliment relevant material produced by others.

ROWIP 21

Ongoing

Invest

Medium

WBC

AONB

Access user groups

Parishes

Revenue

Capital

££

ROWIP 21: particular emphasis to be made to the following, in promotional material: routes leading from local attractions or centres of population to the surrounding countryside; routes suitable for those with restricted mobility, the unconfident, pushchairs, families, runners; opportunities for healthy exercise; routes linking centres of population and facilities; provide a clearer indication of the ease of use of each route; increase the confidence of infrequent or non-users; show all available access e.g. permitted paths, open access land, land provided by other bodies, other highways; information to enhance understanding of the countryside and encourage responsible behaviour; locations of facilities and small car parks, including those suitable for horseboxes and trailers; sustainable transport and principles of sustainable tourism; close working with tourism providers; use of marketing techniques and consumer profiling; themes and themed days out.

When checking for other relevant material produced by others, care must be taken to include information which is provided only on web sites.

Support parish councils and parish plan groups to increase the range and availability of promotional material for PROW / access.

ROWIP 22

Ongoing

Invest

Low

WBC

Parishes

AONB

Revenue

Capital

££

ROWIP 22: provide guidance along the lines of the District Council's own objectives for promotional material, as appropriate.

Education / encouragement of responsible behaviour

Produce published material to provide information about PROW / access and about the responsibilities of PROW users, landowners and other bodies.

ROWIP 23

2009

Invest

Low

WBC

AONB

Revenue

££

ROWIP 23: particular emphasis to be placed on: where people may or may not go and their responsibilities are as highway users, including dog walkers; information about how to report irresponsible or illegal behaviour; responsible car parking in the countryside; respect for livestock and countryside property. Consideration might also be given to informing land managers of relevant information and good practice via short e-mailed articles and newsletters.

Produce a formal policy for the management of vehicular use and vehicular surfaces, with the aim of improving the condition of PROW used by recreational vehicles.

ROWIP 24

2010

Manage

Low

WBC

AONB

Revenue

£

ROWIP 24: such a policy might include the production of promotional material, to indicate the locations of sustainable surfaces suitable for vehicular use, to explain the rights and responsibilities of vehicular users and to indicate locations for vehicular use other than on PROW. Mechanisms for management of vehicular use should follow DEFRA's 2005 guidance “Making the Best of Byways”, which in essence states that education, surface improvements and police liaison should be undertaken before the use of traffic regulation orders is considered. Some measures might include securing the help of residents along the lines of West Sussex's “Path Watch” scheme; requests for voluntary reductions in vehicular use at certain locations; attendance at Neighbourhood Action Group meetings and use of neighbourhood wardens; selective use of CCTV and on-site surveillance at locations of particular problems; more effective dissemination of information, including erection of on-site notices, and requests that landowners refrain from using PROW as accesses where possible.

Implement procedures to remove unsuitable PROW from published satellite navigation routes.

ROWIP 25

2010

Manage

Medium

WBC

AONB

Revenue

£

Continue to contribute access information to the “Greenways” newsletter.

ROWIP 26

Ongoing

Manage

Low

WBC

Revenue

£

Explore opportunities to work with schools within the National Curriculum to increase understanding of the role of access within the countryside and the responsibilities of citizens.

ROWIP 27

Ongoing

Manage

Medium

WBC

Landowners

AONB

Revenue

££

ROWIP 27: Consider also the potential of the `Extended Schools' programme.

Development of new access

Identify, promote, improve and seek to create (where necessary) safe and commodious links between, within and around population centres, rural and urban facilities, attractions and transport interchanges.

ROWIP 28

Ongoing

Invest

Medium

WBC

Landowners

AONB

Parishes

Revenue

Capital

S.106

££(£)

Identify, promote, improve and seek to create (where necessary) suitable routes to school and consider an increased maintenance programme for these routes.

ROWIP 29

Ongoing

Invest

Low

WBC

Landowners

AONB

Parishes

Revenue

Capital

S.106

££(£)

ROWIP 29: all to be carried out in the context of school travel plans and other walking / cycling to school schemes.

Seek greater partnership with businesses and landowners to secure the provision of additional permissive or Definitive access for all users.

ROWIP 30

Ongoing

Manage

Medium

WBC

Landowners

AONB

Parishes

Revenue

Capital

S.106

££

ROWIP 30: such access would fulfil the following criteria: would provide new routes or access where there is a clear and demonstrated general need or desire; would reduce fragmentation of the network, as a result of natural and man-made barriers; would improve road safety and increase instances of travel other than by private motor transport; where permitted access is provided, would ensure provision is made for its future ongoing maintenance.

Attention is drawn to the work of the Mendip Cross Trails Trust, which obtains funding to compensate landowners and to survey and install routes. The Improvement Plan has the potential to guide access requirements in the new DEFRA Higher Level Stewardship areas. The Forestry Commission has a concordat with the British Horse Society on equestrian access to its woodlands, and all its freehold has been dedicated for open access on foot under S. 16 CROW Act.

Increase the provision of suitable equestrian routes where existing provision is low or fragmented, and where demand is high, especially routes which facilitate riding to and from livery yards without horseboxes.

ROWIP 31

Ongoing

Invest

Medium

WBC

Landowners

AONB

Parishes

Revenue

Capital

S.106

£££

ROWIP 31: when providing such routes, it will be important to ensure that they are also suitable for other legitimate public users.

Develop circular interlinking equestrian routes around settlements (“community circuits”) which also link to longer rides.

ROWIP 32

Ongoing

Invest

Medium

WBC

Landowners

AONB

Parishes

Revenue

Capital

S.106

£££

Increase access for equestrians and carriages on West Berkshire-managed commons.

ROWIP 33

Ongoing

Invest

Medium

WBC

Access user groups

Revenue

Capital

S.106

££

Physical improvements to the access network

Research and implement mechanisms to realign the road user hierarchy in favour of non-motorized transport modes, especially walking (LTP 2, policy WI9).

ROWIP 34

Ongoing

Invest

Medium

WBC

Revenue

Capital

S.106

£££

Work with partners in rural areas to identify opportunities for improving the safety of the physical environment, in particular for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders (LTP2, policy RSI 7).

ROWIP 35

Ongoing

Invest

Medium

WBC

AONB

Landowners

Revenue

Capital

S.106

£££

ROWIP 35: the Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership educates drivers, for instance when in contact with non-vehicular users. The Department of Transport has been educating motorists concerning horses on roads. The success of the first West Berkshire “Quiet Lanes” scheme should be monitored and future extensions to the scheme considered.

Implement measures to ensure that all gates on equestrian routes are easily-openable from horseback, using best practice gate and latch designs and gate configurations. Mounting blocks to be installed where dismounting cannot be avoided.

ROWIP 36

Ongoing-+---

Invest

Medium

WBC

Landowners

Parishes

AONB

Revenue

Capital

££

Increase the numbers of PROW signposts indicating destinations and distances.

ROWIP 37

Ongoing

Invest

Medium

WBC

Parishes

AONB

Revenue

Capital

££

ROWIP 37: consider also the use of multi-user destination signs.

Improve the signage of PROW in and around West Berkshire's countryside sites.

ROWIP 38

2010

Invest

Low

WBC

Volunteers

AONB

Revenue

Capital

£

ROWIP 38: consideration should be given to tailoring such signage to the interests of visitors to the countryside sites.

Implement measures to improve signage and promotion of all permissive access.

ROWIP 39

2011

Invest

Medium

WBC

Landowners

AONB

DEFRA

Revenue

Capital

S.106

££

ROWIP 39: to include both linear access and access to land.

Implement measures to improve management and promotion of open access land and links to and from access land.

ROWIP 40

2011

Invest

Medium

WBC

Landowners

Parishes

AONB

Revenue

Capital

S.106

££

Implement measures to remove all gates and stiles which are not needed for the control of stock.

ROWIP 41

2011

Invest

Medium

WBC

Landowners

Parishes

AONB

Revenue

££

Improving accessibility for all users

Identify routes and circuits which are suitable for promotion for use by those with restricted mobility, including within countryside sites. Promote and sign the routes in terms of grading and carry out works, where needed.

ROWIP 42

Ongoing

Invest

Medium

WBC

Volunteers

Access user groups

AONB

Revenue

Capital

£££

Complete works and promotion of access improvements on the Mortimer circular route, for those with restricted mobility.

ROWIP 43

2009

Invest

Low

WBC

Volunteers

Revenue

Capital

££

Implement an access improvement scheme, for those with restricted mobility, on Bucklebury Common.

ROWP 44

2010

Invest

Medium

WBC

Volunteers

Access user groups

AONB

Revenue

Capital

££

Identify additional route locations, for ROWIP 42, following the General Condition Survey.

ROWIP 45

2009

Invest

Low

WBC

Volunteers

Access user groups

AONB

Revenue

£££

Continue to provide buggies, for those with restricted mobility, at West Berkshire countryside sites.

ROWIP 46

Ongoing

Manage

Low

WBC

Revenue

Capital

££

ROWIP 42-46: those with restricted mobility would also include those in wheelchairs, the blind, partially-sighted, people with learning disabilities, people with young children and unconfident or novice visitors. There must be appropriate facilities on the routes, and additional facilities should be sought where there is a proven need. When considering suitable routes, regard will be taken of where needs may be concentrated, for example centres of population, including villages. The work should consider the future creation of a network of long-distance paths suitable for those with restricted mobility. It should also consider providing information on conditions of PROW, locations of facilities and barriers to access, so people may plan their own excursions.

Continue to improve the accessibility of structures on rights of way and introduce and implement new incentives for landowners to do likewise.

ROWIP 47

Ongoing / 2009

Manage

Medium

WBC

Landowners

AONB

DEFRA

Revenue

Capital

££

In partnership with the Countryside team, assist where needed in increasing the number of weekly walks in the Walking the Way to Health scheme.

ROWIP 48

Ongoing

Manage

Medium

WBC

Volunteers

Revenue

Capital

££

Implement improved promotion of access to the PROW / access network for Walking the Way to Health participants.

ROWIP 49

2010

Manage

Medium

WBC

Revenue

Capital

££

Establish greater dialogue with ethnic minority groups, children and young people and groups which traditionally do not visit the countryside, to produce an action plan of high-quality measures to encourage and maintain participation.

ROWIP 50

2010

Invest

Medium

WBC

AONB

Revenue

££

Support and encourage measures to provide shower, clothes-drying and cycle-parking facilities at schools, work places and other destinations, to encourage non-car transport.

ROWIP 51

Ongoing

Invest

Medium

WBC

Businesses

AONB

Revenue

Capital

S.106

£

Audit car park barriers on the access network, and ensure that access is possible for horseboxes, where appropriate.

ROWIP 52

2009

Manage

Low

WBC

Volunteers

Revenue

££

Seek new car parking, cycle parking and horsebox/trailer parking on the access network, where there is a proven need.

ROWIP 53

Ongoing

Invest

Medium

WBC

Landowners

Parishes

AONB

Revenue

Capital

S.106

££

Working with partners

Provide support, where needed, to other bodies whose aspirations compliment those of this ROWIP.

ROWIP 54

Ongoing

Manage

Medium

WBC

Revenue

Capital

S.106

££

Implement measures to encourage parish councils to use their full range of powers where appropriate and support the appointment of parish council public rights of way officers.

ROWIP 55

Ongoing

Manage

Medium

WBC

Parishes

Revenue

£

Encourage and aid the facilitation of formal rights of way training for parish public rights of way officers, parish plan teams and voluntary groups.

ROWIP 56

Ongoing

Invest

Manage

WBC

Parishes

Revenue

£

Continue to provide support and direction to voluntary groups and to encourage the participation of volunteers of all ages in access work.

ROWIP 57

Ongoing

Manage

Medium

WBC

Volunteers

Revenue

Capital

££

Investigate the feasibility of a grant scheme for access work by parish councils and parish plan groups, taking into account existing parish council and parish plan funding.

ROWIP 58

2009

Invest

Medium

WBC

Parishes

AONB

Revenue

Capital

£

Support the access work identified within parish plans and Area Visions

ROWIP 59

Ongoing

Invest

Medium

WBC

Revenue

Capital

S.106

££

Improving working practices and customer care

Create a comprehensive PROW / access library incorporating controlled copies.

ROWIP 60

2009

Invest

Low

WBC

Revenue

£

ROWIP 60: a controlled copy is one which is the up-to-date version, to be replaced when updated or replaced. The library would contain, for example, good practice, literature, legislation, British Standards, links to relevant web sites and standard practices and procedures within the rights of way service.

Use all appropriate internal District Council communication channels to inform relevant parties of developments in PROW / access work and forward work-plans.

ROWIP 61

Ongoing

Manage

Low

WBC

Revenue

£

Introduce an improved access map-to-database electronic link system which will store information and improve the effectiveness of general working methods, feedback and on-site surveys.

ROWIP 62

2009

Invest

Medium

WBC

Revenue

Capital

££

Improve the efficiency and speed of use of available legal powers in relation to PROW.

ROWIP 63

Ongoing

Manage

Medium

WBC

Revenue

£

ROWIP 63: consideration also to be given to more frequent prosecutions and publicity for both these and other legal actions taken.

Improve awareness of land management priorities and procedures amongst District Council PROW staff.

ROWIP 64

Ongoing

Manage

Low

WBC

Revenue

£

ROWIP 64: this measure is with a view to achieving more effective dialogue with and co-operation from land mangers without recourse to legal measures.

Liaise more closely with West Berkshire's Planning and Transport Strategy group, so as to benefit the PROW / access network.

ROWIP 65

2009

Manage

Low

WBC

Revenue

£

ROWIP 65: this will include: regular rights of way training for planning officers, to be provided by the PROW team; improved input into the strategic planning process and the production of a “topic paper” to govern the allocation of S.106 developer contributions towards access. There may also be opportunities to improve the representation of PROW in published transportation material.

Funding

Involve community and special interest groups in funding and delivering small access schemes.

ROWIP 66

Ongoing

Manage

Medium

WBC

Parishes

Volunteers

AONB

Revenue

Capital

S.106

£

ROWIP 66: this would include, for example, providing ideas to the Pang Valley Ramblers to “pump prime” work with could otherwise be a low priority for the District Council.

Investigate opportunities for external funding for PROW/ access projects.

ROWIP 67

2009

Manage

Medium

WBC

Revenue

£

ROWIP 67: to make use of recent guidance from DEFRA and Natural England.

Monitoring / continued consultation

Continue to receive and consider requests for improved access, and to incorporate them into an annually-updated list of requests for specific access improvements (Appendix 2).

ROWIP 68

Ongoing

Manage

Low

WBC

Revenue

£

The Mid and West Berkshire Local Access Forum to advise on implementation of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

ROWIP 69

Ongoing

Manage

Low

WBC

Local Access Forum

Revenue

£

ROWIP 69: reports will be presented to the Local Access Forum three times per year or at least once per year.

Learn and listen to views of others, at the same time seeking and implementing best practice in relation to PROW / access work.

ROWIP 70

Ongoing

Manage

Low

WBC

Revenue

£

ROWIP 70: this will come from a variety of sources, including by attendance at regional meetings involving PROW staff, training courses, Local Access Forum advice; site meetings; team meetings and future customer surveys.

Implement an effective project-based internal method of recording current progress, good practice and lessons learnt in PROW / access work, for the benefit of present and future staff.

ROWIP 71

2009

Manage

Low

WBC

Revenue

£

Produce, with progress reports, annually-updated Rights of Way Improvement Plan Action Plan.

ROWIP 72

Ongoing

Manage

Low

WBC

Revenue

£

ROWIP 72: to be supplied to the Local Access Forum and posted on the web site.