Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Lancashire

Lancashire County Council, Blackpool Council and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

What does it mean for you?

The Lancashire Rights of Way improvement Plan (ROWIP) has been produced to meet the requirements of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW). The ROWIP assesses the extent to which right of way meet the present and likely future needs of the public, the opportunities provided by rights of way for exercise and other forms of open air recreation and enjoyment and the accessibility of rights of way to blind and partially sighted persons and others with mobility problems.

We have questioned public rights of way users and countryside visitors, critically examined opportunities available to the public to access the countryside, consulted specialist groups, and other local authorities and the Lancashire Local Access Forum. We have also undertaken a wider public consultation exercise.

From all of this there was a realization that we needed to think more about the diversity of Lancashire’s residents and the opportunities that are there for them for enjoyment and healthy exercise and that in deploying our skills and resources we need to consider actions that will provide the greatest benefit.

We have therefore developed policies and actions, which we feel, will improve overall access for everyone to Lancashire’s countryside and the rights of way network by providing greater opportunity and better quality information.

This means;

We will improve access to the rights of way network on the urban fringe and encourage more people to enjoy the benefits of walking.

Where possible we will take opportunities to develop or create multi user routes where all can enjoy better access, including the less mobile, horse riders, cyclists, families and walkers.

We will work with the landowning and farming communities to improve access and look to assist them in resolving land management issues where access is concerned. Including the new rights of access to open countryside.

We will continue to develop an integrated network of bridleway routes, which can also cater for cyclists.

We will work with motorized users who wish to promote responsible use of the right of way network where legal.

Wherever possible we will make changes to the rights of way network that will improve access for those with mobility problems or other disabilities.

The Lancashire Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP - Black and White version) format (size 644Kb)

The Lancashire Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP - Colour version) format (size 7.9MB)

Please note the colour version contains pictures.  As a result the colour version size is larger than the black and white version and will take longer to download.

For further information contact the Lancashire Countryside Service on 01772 534709