Written question asked by Andrew Murrison (Conservative) on Wednesday, 19 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 27 May 2004. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Thursday, 27 May 2004 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the navigability of rights of way; and what measures he plans to improve it.

Answer: Dr. Murrison: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the navigability of rights of way; and what measures he plans to improve it. [175263] Alun Michael: I have been asked to reply. The Countryside Agency rights of way condition survey in England in 2000, found between 87 and 89 per cent. of routes "usable" by walkers, cyclists and horse riders. In addition, the statutory "best value" performance management framework requires local highway authorities to measure the ease of use of their rights of way, by carrying out annual surveys and reporting against their rights of way performance indicator. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 requires local highway authorities to prepare rights of way improvement plans. These plans encourage highway authorities to take a strategic look at their rights of way network, with a view to accommodating modern patterns of demand and use and providing better for the needs of users. The Government have provided additional funding to enable the preparation of these plans.

Secondary information