Process of Creating a ROWIP
From GPG
An example of how an authority described the process of preparing the ROWIP :
Contents |
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2005-2015
1.5 The process of creating the plan
Preparation
1.5.1 A programme for producing the plan was prepared in consultation with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Local Access Forum, an advisory body set up under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
1.5.2 Regular monitoring reports on the plan were submitted to the Rights of Way and Highways Licensing Panel, a Panel of Council members with overall responsibility for public rights of way in the Borough.
Information gathering
1.5.4 The needs of users and potential users of the public rights of way network were researched, as well as wider interests relating to public rights of way, current route provision and local use and demand.
1.5.4 The information gathering stage included an examination of existing policies and existing research, followed by consultation with user groups, interested parties and face-to-face interviews with the general public. In total 620 completed questionnaires were received. In addition to this, the Local Access Forum played a key role in developing ideas and providing information for the plan.
1.5.5 An initial assessment of the information was carried out, and the Council then sought views on the assessment (from March to June 2004) to identify any omissions in the research or to address any problems at an early stage.
Evaluation
1.5.6 Following this initial public consultation, conclusions were drawn regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the local public rights of way network and the adequacy of current routes and the need for new routes was considered (see section 3: Conclusions of the evaluation).
Statement of action
1.5.7 Following the evaluation stage, a statement of action was prepared (see section 4). The statement of action identifies the needs and issues, makes proposals to address these needs, and also states, in broad terms, how these proposals are to be realised.
1.5.8 The statement of action contains the following:
- the proposed actions
- estimated costs
- key organisations involved in the actions
- the estimated timescale for the actions to be completed.
Publication
1.5.9 The final stage in the production of the plan is publication:
Action Timescale
a) The Local Access Forum was consulted on the draft plan and any agreed changes were made: 7th Sept 04
b) The draft plan was reported to the Rights of Way and Highways Licensing Panel prior to public consultation: 6th Dec 04
c) Statutory public consultation was carried out and proposed changes collated: 10th Dec 04 - 10th March 05
d) The final plan was submitted to the Rights of Way and Highways Licensing Panel for approval: 6th June 05
e) Publication of the final plan: July 05
