This paper reports on the Countryside Agency’s work to encourage high quality Rights of Way Improvement Plans (ROWIPs).   A previous report was presented to NCAF in February 2002 when defra were consulting on the draft statutory guidance on the prep...
Recreation

Breadcrumbs

NCAF 16/5 Rights of Way Improvement Plans

1. This paper reports on the Countryside Agency’s work to encourage high quality Rights of Way Improvement Plans (ROWIPs). A previous report was presented to NCAF in February 2002 when defra were consulting on the draft statutory guidance on the preparation of the plans. That paper explained our intention to work with some local authorities to prepare some fast-track model plans as soon as the guidance was issued.

Background

 

2.          Section 60 of CROW Act introduced a new duty for local highway authorities Rights of Way Improvement Plans (ROWIPs).   The plans are intended to assess the extent to which local rights of way and cycle tracks:

 

·         meet the present and likely future needs of the public; 

·         provide opportunities for exercise and other forms of open-air recreation and the enjoyment of the authority’s area; and 

·         are accessible to blind, partially sighted persons and others with mobility problems.

 

3.          Section 61(4)states that local highway authorities must have regard to statutory guidance issued by the Secretary of State.   This Guidance was issued on commencement of the duty to prepare ROWIPs in November 2002.   At the same time, defra and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister issued a press release to announce that the Government’s intention was for ROWIPs to become a distinct strand within Local Transport Plans in 2005.      

 

Demonstration programme

4.          The Countryside Agency approached a number of authorities in the autumn of 2002 with a view to them working with us to prepare plans which would help to develop good practice.   We selected a range of authorities, one in each region, to cover a range of issues and dimensions in plan preparation.   The full list of authorities selected and the research studies we are supporting is attached (Annex 1).   They are all aiming to complete a plan, although not necessarily for the whole of their area, by November 2003.  

 

5.          We have appointed consultants to facilitate and support the authorities preparing these early plans, and also to gather together the lessons learnt to share amongst all authorities.   Sharing information will happen regularly throughout the next 6 months, and not just at the end of November.

 

6.          To begin the process of sharing information we sponsored a Countryside Research Network event in November 2002.   This was well attended by local authority staff, defra and officers from a range of non-government organisations.  

 

7.          This event was followed by more specialist events aimed at local authority officers in each region in February and March 2003.   There was a strong message from those attending that they would like information disseminated to them as soon as possible in order that they can benefit from the demonstration plans early in the process.   They also wanted clearer guidance about the process of merging ROWIPs with LTPs.   We plan to do the former by adding relevant information on a web site   we have developed, in partnership with the CSS, LGA and IPROW, which is designed to share good practice on a range of rights of way issues.   We have raised the issue about guidance on the LTP process with defra who will consider the practicalities along with colleagues in the Department for Transport.    It is unlikely that further guidance will be issued in the very near future and this is a matter we are monitoring closely.   We believe that our demonstration plans may be able to offer some thoughts on the process later in the year.

 

8.             Another issue raised at a number of the regional seminars related to the emphasis to be given to ROWIPs, in relation to work to meet the National Target for all rights of way to be legally recorded, properly maintained and well promoted.   Local authorities have received additional funds to prepare ROWIPs, as part of the Standard Spending Assessment, but not all of this has reached rights of way sections and they are inevitably faced with difficult decisions about how to prioritise their work.   An additional dimension to this is that local authorities will also be asked to find ways of managing open access land.    The pressures on local authority budgets for access and recreation is potentially an issue which could be debated further by NCAF.  

 

Implementation of ROWIPs

 

9.             Implementing plans is not a statutory duty (unless the improvements are to maintain or signpost existing rights of way) which means that local authorities will need to find alternative sources of funding to make improvements to the network.    This is still a concern, and we are keen to pursue opportunities to identify funds for this purpose.    This includes inputting to NOF Round IV and HLF bids.   We believe that ROWIPs will identify improvements to add value to an existing resource, to provide a better network for all to enjoy.   Improved networks can make a contribution to a number of different agendas, including: improvements to the countryside in and around towns; active lifestyles, health, youth culture and diversity; economic regeneration in rural areas; routes for local journeys on foot, cycle or horse-back and overall quality of environment and life.   So resourcing the improvements needs to be tackled on many different dimensions.   NCAF are invited to contribute thoughts and suggestions on how to be most effective in this challenge.

 

 

Wendy Thompson

Programme Director, Countryside Recreation

 

April 2003