Looking to the future of the rights of way network in Bucks
Buckinghamshire’s new ten-year improvement plan for its rights of way network has just been published in draft form, and the County Council is asking people to take a look and provide feedback via an online survey.
The new plan for Buckinghamshire’s footpaths, bridleways and byways was put together after an extensive engagement exercise earlier in the year in which a wide range of individuals, groups and organisations gave their views on the strengths and weaknesses of the network and how they felt it should be improved and developed over the next decade.
The information received via the engagement process was added to the detailed knowledge of the County Council’s rights of way service to produce a new plan setting out how the rights of way network can provide an amenity over the coming years which best meets the needs of people who live or work in Buckinghamshire, and the many people who visit in order to enjoy the county’s outstanding countryside.
Bill Chapple OBE, Buckinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning & Environment, said: “Our rights of way network is the means by which local people and visitors alike access the beautiful Bucks countryside, whether that’s for relaxation, sport, nature study or getting from A to B. It’s therefore a precious asset, and we are committed to making the most of it, ensuring that as many people have access to it as possible for their recreational and travel needs. We also want to ensure that the network is not only properly maintained, but protected and enhanced as new infrastructure and residential development takes place in the county.
“I’d ask anyone interested in the future of our rights of way network to read the draft report, and help us to check whether we have come to the right conclusions and have included the right actions by completing the survey. The responses to this consultation will help us produce the final version of the rights of way improvement plan. The final draft of the plan will be finished in early 2020 and then adopted by the council.”
Read the draft plan and access the survey here: www.buckscc.gov.uk/rowip