Outputs of the ROWIP Exemplar Programme

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Caution: Archived Article. Last revised Oct 06. Content may be out-of-date.

Outputs of the Countryside Agency ROWIP demonstration programme by Authority

Contents

Bedfordshire County Council

Produced an exemplar ROWIP for the whole county - Bedfordshire Outdoor Access Improvement Plan

Researched the economic benefits of access to the countryside and the needs of walkers.

Consulted local residents by questionnaire and by semi-structured interviews. See the research briefs and evaluation of the research.

A key issues study was carried out to understand and prioritise the needs, views and issues facing the residents of Bedfordshire with regard to access and a local residents survey made.

Cheshire County Council

Produced:

Researched the health benefits of the ROW network, to establish how improvements to the network could help provide health benefits to the public, and to identify ways to break down barriers to the use of rights of way. See the executive summary and final report.

Two projects researching the links with sustainable travel were carried out:

Project 1

Research into links with sustainable transport. This work gave an overview of the key messages from transport strategies and policies at a national, regional, and county level, and a literature review of use and demand information. The research considers the implications of this information for the management of ROWs and the improvement plan process.

Project 2

Investigates how the ROW network can benefit sustainable travel in different rural and urban locations and the types of improvements needed to encourage use of the network as a sustainable means of travel.

The Cheshire Community Survey which is undertaken annually by CCC included questions on access to the countryside and ROW. the Cheshire Community Survey 2003 chapter 8

Dorset County Council

Researched Access to the Countryside and Access to Services in a joint study. This examines the role the path network currently provides in enabling local people and visitors to 'get around' and access local services and the countryside. It includes:

  • the degree of latent demand and why it arises,
  • strategic issues and specific improvement actions pertinent to the Market Towns and rural villages within the pilot area
  • summary results
  • final report
  • Appendices contents list
  • The strategic discussion document 'A Future for Countryside Access in Dorset' was produced at the start of the improvement plan process and widely circulated internally and externally, including to the LAF, parish councils and voluntary groups. It was also published on the Internet.

Hampshire County Council

Produced (notes on the process) two Countryside Access Plans for the Forest of Bere and the Forest of Eversley. They are now preparing plans for the rest of the County.

Researched the Needs of horse riders and carriage drivers. This aims to identify the extent of use of ROWs and other routes by horse riders and carriage drivers; the barriers to increased use; and the key issues regarding equestrian access. Includes quantitative research involving a sample of approximately 1,000 horse riders and carriage drivers.

Researched the Use and demand for rights of way. This was an assessment of use and demand for rights of way, including an overview of demand for provision walking, riding and cycling and analysis of a questionnaire survey of over 1,000 households local to the Forest of Eversley.

A supplementary report on an exercise to map the wide variety of formal and informal access resources in the Forest of Eversley was produced. This makes the point that reliance only on OS maps understates the extent of access available on the ground and that this wide access must be taken into account in ROW improvement plans. See Evaluating the Wider Network

Nottinghamshire County Council

Produced an exemplar ROWIP for the Greenwood Forest and Sherwood Forest Area

Researched the Role of ROW network in meeting recreational needs. Assess the use of ROWs for recreational purposes, the degree of latent demand and perceived barriers, including through extensive stakeholder consultations. Develops and applies a method for assessing the density, inter-connectivity and adequacy of the network. Recommends local and generic strategies for improving the ROW network.

Researched the Needs of Lawful Vehicle Users. Reviews problems and issues relating to vehicular use of ROWs, including extensive stakeholder consultation. Develops the approach in Defra's "Making the Best of Byways" by recommending strategies for the 'off road' network to benefit lawful vehicle users and for managing the intensity, distribution and type of unlawful use.

Gedling Demonstration Area Consultation trials - short report by Nottinghamshire CC setting out the findings of area trials to gauge which methods of public consultation could best be used when compiling Area Action Plans envisaged as a delivery mechanism for the Greenwood / Sherwood Access Study.

Northumberland County Council

Wrote a project plan for the development of the ROWIP for parts of Northumberland and Northumberland National Park

Researched Use and Demand for Rights of Way. Extensive series of surveys to assess use of and demand for rights of way throughout the project area and the adjoining metropolitan area. Includes use by local residents; cross-border use to gain access to local countryside; and use by holiday makers visiting the area.

Researched into how existing records on condition can be used in the ROWIP process - Assessing the condition of the path network - what records are relevant? Where are the gaps in records? How relevant is the BVPI survey?

Tyne and Wear MDCs

The joint Mets (Gateshead, Newcastle, North and South Tyneside, and Sunderland) carried out a parallel Use and Demand Survey (see above) but with a questionnaire more focused on the needs of urban residents and the use of the urban path network.

Shropshire County Council

(research conducted jointly with Telford and Wrekin BC)

Wrote a project plan for the ROWIP

Researched the Needs of Horse Riders and Cyclists, to establish the current adequacy of ROWs and access for horse riders and cyclists; the improvements required; and potential for local land managers to contribute by increasing provision while benefiting economically.

Researched Consultation Methods. Study to review different methods of public consultation and stakeholder analysis; establish the best ways of presenting information and which methods of consultation elicit the best responses.

City of York Council

Produced a draft exemplar ROWIP for the whole council area

Researched the Whole Network Approach (WNA). The report surveys and assesses the significant amount of wider public access, both linear access and access to land, within the City of York. Then discusses how this access might be integrated with the ROW network through the Improvement Plan.

Researched Accessibility and the needs of people with disabilities. This looks at ways in which the needs of people with disabilities should be taken into account when preparing a ROWIP. Includes advice on the development of an accessibility policy, consultation and engagement with potential users, surveying the network for accessibility and the provision of information.

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