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Dorset Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP) 2011 to 2021

Last updated 23 July 2024

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Foreword By Peter Finney, Cabinet Portfolio Holder, Dorset County Council

As a walker, I am keenly aware of the wonderful opportunities provided by Dorset’s thousands of miles of public rights of way and open spaces.

For me they represent an escape from the pressures of life, the best way to explore Dorset’s lovely coast and countryside and I am told the exercise does me good!

As we face an increasingly challenging time stretching our budgets we will need to have a clear vision of how we will prioritise our resources.

History has provided Dorset not only with splendid cliff top paths, glorious downland tracks and intimate village shortcuts, but also with some unloved routes to nowhere.

The County Council, with the help of many landowners and volunteers, tries to keep these paths open and easy to use.

The 21st Century also conspires to limit enjoyment of many paths. Increasingly busy roads now ‘fragment’ what used to be a real network of routes.

Some gates actually prevent the enjoyment of our routes by being more of an obstacle than a way of access.

The needs and demands upon this resource have changed.

The network has a new and important role in addressing current issues such as concerns over traffic congestion and public health, whilst providing opportunities for outdoor leisure and recreation.

Making Dorset a healthy and enjoyable place to live, work and visit are important considerations and the aim of this plan is to address the new challenges and prepare Dorset for the future.

The research undertaken for this Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP) provides us with a better understanding of the demands and expectations of all those with an interest in public rights of way and access, building upon the feedback of both members of the general public and interested stakeholders, who have contributed through a series of consultations.

It gives us a chance to assess people’s needs and target improvements for walkers, cyclists, equestrians, those with mobility problems, and for those with the responsibility for managing the paths.

Our aspirations are to have a network accessible to as many people as possible given the fiscal difficulties we face.

With one eye on the range of other changes happening in Dorset - to population, economy, health and transport, and plans related to these issues, this document explores their likely impacts, and responses needed to provide a countryside recreation network for the 21st Century.

Of course we cannot improve such a large network overnight, but at least we will have a vision and clear priorities for the future.

Peter Finney

Summary

The statutory Dorset Rights of Way Improvement Plan is the result of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW Act), which placed a duty on Dorset County Council (DCC) to set out a strategy for improving its network of Public Rights of Way, wider access and outdoor public space ie Access Resource.

The RoWIP consists of two parts:

  • an assessment
  • an action Plan

The Assessment considers the current strengths and weaknesses of the access resource for legitimate walking, horse-riding, cycling, horse carriage driving and vehicular use; how easy it is to use by people of all needs and abilities including people with visibility and mobility impairment and the opportunities to develop and improve the access resource to meet peoples needs today and in the future.

The Action plan lists the work needed to realise these opportunities and develop an improved access network.

This plan does not override the authority’s current statutory duty to maintain Public Rights of Way.

However, RoWIPs are the prime means for the Local Highway Authority to identify and prioritise actions and plan for the improved management and development of the access network.

This plan provides a vision, clear priorities, focus and one reference point, – a long term management strategy for all involved in the management and development of the access network – PRoW and countryside sites.

The aim is to bring outdoor access up-to-date so that it supports and addresses not only recreation and sport but also transport, health, economy, tourism, land-management, planning and community development and fully integrates with and benefits our way of life today.

The RoWIP is a strategic plan.

Following an Access Resource assessment, extensive research and consultation with local people and various organisations 5 broad themes have emerged that need to be addressed to improve Dorset Access. 

  • theme 1 - The RoWIP’s links with wider issues and related plans
  • theme 2 - Improving customer service
  • theme 3 - Providing a safer and more accessible network
  • theme 4 - Involving local people and Partner organisations
  • theme 5 - Providing quality information about the network

This plan is specific to the needs of Dorset people but interestingly RoWIPs country wide identify similar needs, for example, the need to update and maintain the definitive map and statement and the need to develop a good network of safe, off-road routes for walkers and riders.

It will take time and a step by step approach to implement this Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

It contains actions that are achievable in current and future work programmes as well as those that are aspirations for the future as resources and opportunities allow.

Depending on available resources implementation will be achieved by DCC in a variety of ways, for example, in partnership with a variety of organisations, through actions identified in other relevant plans and, most importantly, with Dorset people and will rely on securing both internal and external funding.

Annual reports will detail improvement work completed in that year and set out priority improvement actions for the following year.

Unless circumstances dictate otherwise the RoWIP will be reviewed every 10 years.

 

 

Our vision

“Providing opportunities for everyone to enjoy using Dorset’s Public Rights of Way and countryside sites for both travel and play – helping to improve the environment and overall quality of life for people now and for generations to come”

A quote 

“Thank you for coming to our Parish Council meeting to talk about the RoWIP document. We all agree that it is a great piece of work from which it will be much easier to plan for the future”. Parish Council"

 

Introducing Dorset’s RoWIP

A quote

“Middleton Abbey was about a dozen miles distant by road a little less by bridlepaths and footways” Thomas Hardy “The Woodlanders”, Dorset 1891 

Introduction

Dorset is a beautiful and interesting county much loved and enjoyed by the people who live here and those who visit.

The key to its appeal is the result of an ongoing relationship between the people and their landscape which has shaped the county making it what it is today.

From high up on the chalk escarpments over rolling wooded fields down into the river valleys across open heath-land and along dramatic coastline; to numerous colourful and vibrant market and coastal towns and villages and then quieter hamlets and farmsteads –

Dorset is a county of contrasts rich in history, strong in local character and diverse with things to see, do, enjoy and savour.

An integral ingredient to Dorset’s character is its 2855 miles (4594 km) of Public Rights of Way - footpaths, bridleways and byways.

These coupled with other public outdoor space – parks, cycle routes etc - provide the perfect way to experience all the good things that Dorset has to offer. Public Rights of Way form part of the county’s highway network and historically provided important transport routes.

However, as minor “subtle” highways the development of these routes have been overshadowed by the development of major highways such as roads due to mass car ownership and the emphasis on motorised travel when planning how people get about the county.

But the minor highway network of Public Rights of Way together with other accessible open space plays a key role in providing invaluable social, economic and environmental benefits both today and in the future.

Improvements such as appropriate surfacing and linking paths and sites to create local networks can provide:

  • a great facility for outdoor play, sport, recreation, relaxation and enjoyment of the natural environment for people of all ages and abilities resulting in numerous associated physical and mental health benefits
  • sustainable transport routes for people to travel on foot, horse or bike to access facilities such as health centres, schools, shops and work bases. This helps to reduce congestion and air and noise pollution helping to protect the environment and contribute towards slowing climate change
  • opportunities for bringing people together – to identify improvements and develop path networks that are meaningful and attractive to use when travelling around their area and out into the surrounding countryside
  • custom from local people and tourists who when travelling by walking or riding are perhaps more likely to use public transport, pubs, shops, post offices, B&Bs, cycle hire etc helping to sustain local businesses and provide opportunities for new ones
  • local people and visitors with an enjoyable way to explore using paths local in character through good design and use of local materials. These paths also help to manage how and where people travel minimising the negative impact on the lives of local people or sensitive landscape areas – helping to protect communities and local character

This plan does not override the authority’s current statutory duty to maintain Public Rights of Way.

However Rights of Way Improvement Plans are the prime means for the Local Highway Authority to identify and prioritise actions and plan for the improved management and development of the countryside access network.

The Dorset Rights of Way Improvement Plan is the authority’s long-term management strategy for the PRoW and countryside sites’ access network.

Research for this plan has established that by improving management and maintenance; providing better information; developing a network of paths that are safe and attractive to use and involving people in achieving this – that these subtle, often overlooked group of minor highways and publicly accessible green space can achieve so much more and improve our quality of life today and those of future generations.

Whilst there will be some need to create new PRoW (eg paths providing links between existing paths for network development, new sections to address road severance, paths integrated into new housing sites) – on the whole in Dorset the focus is increasing provision by improving the quality of the existing PRoW.

Quote 

“Thank you for coming to our Parish Council meeting to talk about the RoWIP document. We all agree that it is a great piece of work from which it will be much easier to plan for the future”. Parish Council"

RoWIP purpose and scope

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW) required each Local Highway Authority to make an assessment of:

  • the extent to which Local Rights of Way (LRoW)4 – footpaths, bridleways, cycle tracks and restricted byways meet the present and likely future needs of the public
  • the opportunities Local Rights of Way can provide for exercise, recreation and enjoyment of the authority’s area
  • the accessibility for people with vision and mobility impairments. and prepare an Action Plan proposing how we will
  • manage Rights of Way
  • secure an improved network of Rights of Way

Whilst legislation focuses on LRoW, Dorset has many other “pathways” and areas of land that the public can enjoy for recreation and local travel.

Examples include byways open to all traffic, unclassified county roads, access land and public outdoor space.

This plan considers all public outdoor access and related activities ensuring a thorough assessment and action plan.

The Dorset RoWIP covers the county of Dorset excluding the unitary authority areas of Bournemouth and Poole for which there is a joint Bournemouth and Poole RoWIP.

RoWIP process

consultation leading to an assessment of Dorset’s Rights of Way and wider access network including:

  • the physical character and extent of the network
  • identifying the needs, concerns and ideas of local people and visitors who are associated with, who use or who would like to use the network
  • the current management of the network to identify any areas that needs improvement and how to deliver those improvements
  • the wider social, economic and environmental benefits that the network can offer and identifying RoWIP actions that can help improve people’s lives
  • links between the RoWIP and other strategies and plans to establish its role
  • ways to effectively and efficiently implement the RoWIP through the establishment of clear priorities and partnership working

Appendix 1 details sources of information which have helped to shape this plan which include public and access related organisations, community, town and parish plans and an annual photo-postcard competition from which comments and images have been included in this document.

A draft RoWIP was widely distributed for consultation and the responses showed that there was strong support for the RoWIP, assessment findings, and the issues and actions identified.

The RoWIP process also identified shortfalls in the information required to make more informed decisions about the management of the network.

Consequently the need to start collating such data is actioned and findings will be used to inform future reviews of this plan.

The Dorset Local Access Forum has played a key role providing support and advising on the development of this plan and will continue to do so during its implementation.

The Dorset Local Access Forum

Local Access Forums are independent groups of volunteers established under section 94 of the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000.

They are a statutory body advising on improving access on land and to water for recreational and utilitarian (eg. routes to school, work and other local amenities) purposes and making the links between improved access and the wider benefits that improve overall quality of life such as health, sustainable transport, economy, accessibility, tourism and enhancing landscapes.

Their role is primarily strategic and strives to achieve a consensus view taking into consideration the needs of both land-managers and access users, statutory implications and wider environmental, social and economic factors to influence and develop plans, policy and broader decision making as opposed to focusing on specific locations/paths.

The Dorset Local Access Forum (DLAF) was established in 2002 and is the joint forum of Dorset County Council, Bournemouth Borough Council and the Borough of Poole (the appointing authorities).

 

 

Assessment of Public Rights of Way and wider public access in Dorset

The County Council, as the Local Highway Authority, is responsible for recording, maintaining and protecting the 2,855 miles (4,594 km) of Public Rights of Way (PROW) in Dorset and has powers to implement and manage Access Land.

In addition Dorset County Council is responsible for managing numerous local and long distance promoted routes, conservation areas, country parks and other public space all contributing to the overall countryside access network.

Recorded Public Rights of Way

The table below shows the recorded Public Rights of Way in Dorset. 

Table Dorset recorded Public Rights of Way
Type or Status
of Public Right
of Way		 For use by Length
miles and
(km)		 Number
of paths		 % of Public
Rights of
Way total
Dorset		 Symbol 
Footpath (FP) Walkers 1,749 m
(2,814km)		 4,878 61.25%
  1. Yellow arrow, pointing upwards on a black circle background with a yellow circle surround which includes the text:
  • Dorset County Council at the top 
  • Public Foot path at the bottom
  1. white text, running vertically on rectangle black background, "public footpath"
  2. White figure, facing right, on a black arrow background pointing right 
Bridleway (BR) Walkers
Horse-riders
Cyclists		 1,092 m
(1,757km)		 1,827 38.25%
  1. Blue arrow, pointing upwards on a white circle background which includes the text:
  • Dorset County Council at the top 
  • Public Bridleway at the bottom
  1. white text, running vertically on rectangle black background, "public bridleway "
  2. White figure, on horseback facing right, on a black arrow background pointing right 
Byway Open
to All Traffic
(BOATs)		 Walkers, Horse-riders,
cyclists, Horse drawn
carriages and Motor
Vehicles		 14 m
(23km)		 43 0.5%
  1. Red arrow, pointing upwards on a white circle background which includes the text:
  • Dorset County Council at the top 
  • Byway at the bottom
  1. white text, running vertically on rectangle black background, "byway"
  2. White text on a black arrow background pointing right "Byway open to all traffic"
Restricted
Byway		 Walkers, Horse-riders,
Cyclists, Horse-drawn
carriages and nonmotorised
vehicles		 0.06 m
(100 metres)		 1 n/a
  1. Aubergine arrow, pointing upwards on a white circle background which includes the text:
  • Dorset County Council at the top 
  • Restricted Byway at the bottom
  1. White text on a black arrow background pointing right "Restricted Byway"
Totals n/a 2,855 mi
(4,594 km)		 6,749 100% n/a

From the above table it is apparent that:

  • walkers can use all of the PRoW in Dorset
  • horse-riders and cyclists are limited to using approximately two fifths of Dorset’s PRoW
  • horse carriage and motorised drivers can access only a nominal amount of Dorset’s PRoW

Promoted Routes

There are numerous promoted routes enjoyed by local people and visitors.

Many start and finish in Dorset and a couple travel over into neighbouring counties and beyond. Most are managed by the DCC Rangers Team, for example:

  • the Dorset section of the South West Coast Path - a National Trail with management funded by central government
  • the Wessex Ridgeway stretching from one side of the county to the other
  • disused railway lines being developed into multi-user routes such as the North Dorset Trailway and various parish circular routes such as the one in Toller Porcorum

Some are managed in conjunction with, or by, other organisations for example the Ramblers’ Jubilee Trail.

Trailways utilise old disused railway lines and can consist of either or both definitive PRoW or permissive routes so that they can be managed for shared use by people of all abilities when walking, horse-riding and cycling – multi-user routes.

They offer great potential to provide good Countryside Access and celebrate our natural, cultural and industrial heritage.

By their very nature they link settlements, possess gentle gradients facilitating accessibility and provide off road cross-country routes.

Historically they are a reminder of past forms of transport, communication networks, technologies and engineering in transporting people and goods by train.

In many instances a good basic infrastructure exists to accommodate new roles whilst celebrating old ones.

Good management and design can provide highly effective access eg well drained and durable surfacing, good path widths, and appropriate entry and exit points etc for many people to enjoy when walking, riding and cycling.

In addition Trailways can incorporate traditional railway features such as old signal posts, signage and styles of lettering, milestones, seating etc.

Remaining stations have potential for renovation showcasing displays, for example, of railway and trailway, environmental interest and local history; providing space for cafés, cycle hire, and local information; and providing gateways from the trail to settlements and the facilities they have to offer.

Collectively these projects can provide wider benefits for education, environmental conservation, sustainable transport and the local economy. The 1960s saw the closure of the branch railway lines.

The Council purchased certain sections but others were sold off into private ownership. Consequently today we are left with a fragmented “disused railway” resource of varying lengths and potential.

Our continued work with private landowners makes it possible for permissive or definitive access to be established along old disused railway lines or to identify short alternative routes that deviate from and reconnect to the original line of the railway in developing Trailway routes.

Access Land

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 granted additional pedestrian access to designated areas of Access Land for the purposes of “open air recreation”11 increasing opportunities for walkers.

This new right of public access has been reported as a “Right to Roam”.

However this is incorrect as it is not permission for the public to walk wherever they wish. Access Land currently consists of “Open Country” which is “wholly or predominantly of mountain, moor, heath or down”, and registered Common Land. Where “Access Land” is identified people can walk freely across this land, subject to certain exceptions and restrictions, rather than having to stick to linear paths.

New editions of Ordnance Survey Explorer maps show all known “Access Land” by shading the areas light yellow with a light orange border.

In Dorset there are 9,205.7 hectares (22748 acres) of access land and 2,153 hectares (5320 acres) of registered common land.

Various work has been done to implement Access Land in heath and downland areas of Dorset.

Work is currently focusing on sites within and around urban areas and there is much scope to appraise, develop and promote Access Land across Dorset. 

Coastal Access

The government through the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 aims to improve public access to, and enjoyment of, the English coastline by creating clear and consistent public rights along the English coast for most types of open-air recreation on foot.

It allows existing coastal access to be secured and improved and new access to be created in coastal places where it did not already exist.

The first stretch of coastline in England where these rights will be implemented is the ‘Weymouth Bay’ stretch, between Portland and Lulworth.

This will give a 30 km linear Coastal Access route and adjacent Coastal Access land, together with the right, where existing paths erode into the sea, for a replacement route to be quickly put in place.

The aim is to have these new rights in place in time for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailing events, which will be taking place in Weymouth Bay.

In the longer term, the new coastal access rights will be extended around the entire coast, joining up the whole of the Dorset coastline and ensuring a continuous route around our constantly evolving coastline. 

Cycling

There are cycle tracks, cycle lanes and cycle routes in Dorset and where funding has been available cycling infrastructure has been improved mainly in the Urban South East Dorset Area (Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch).

Overall cycling provision Dorset wide presents a fragmented network of cycle paths. By mapping and recording their character and condition we can establish the quantity, types and quality of access for cyclists and the improvement work needed to develop good cycling networks providing better cycling opportunities for people of all ages, interests and abilities.

Recorded Public Rights of Way Condition

Dorset, with help from the Ramblers’ Association, monitors the condition of its Public Rights of Way by inspecting a sample of paths in May and November to measure their ‘ease of use’.

This was done in accordance with the appropriate legislation until 2008 and the results collated nationally.

Dorset, in common with some other south west authorities, exceeds expectation and continues to collect these figures for benchmarking purposes.

Dorset also takes part in the National Benchmarking Highways and Transport Public Satisfaction Survey.

The results show that Dorset has a high score for customer satisfaction for the provision of footpaths and bridleways, it is in the top half of all counties for customer satisfaction with signposting and overall satisfaction is within the top third.

Roads

Unless a Traffic Regulation Order exists excluding their use – pedestrians, horse-riders, cyclists and horse carriage drivers can use all the roads in Dorset to travel along. The various types and quantity of roads in Dorset are detailed below in the below table. 

Table - Road data for Dorset
Motorway Dorset
Motorway 0
Trunk 67.75 mi (109.04 km)
Principal classified A class 230.95 mi (371.67 km)
Non-principal classified B and C class 938.25 mi (1,509.97 km )
Unclassified County Roads (UCRs) 1,252.49 mi (2,015.68 km)

Depending upon the specific character of each road and the nature of its use this dependency can either:

  • increase provision for walking, riding and cycling by safely linking PRoW and creating effective networks or 
  • limit provision by stopping people using PRoW because they feel unsafe, having to negotiate traffic when travelling along and/or crossing roads. This is known as Road Severance

Unfortunately road severance is a major issue restricting network provision and use of PRoW. (See Theme 3 - Network Development).

Roadside verges

The use of verges should be considered carefully and only used for walking, riding and cycling routes where it is safe for walkers, horse-riders and cyclists to use the verge as a refuge and when no other alternative off road route can be identified.

A highway comprises all the land contained within the boundary of that highway including any verge, margin or roadside waste.

Where a Highway Authority considers a road to be dangerous for use by pedestrians, horse-riders and cyclists the Authority can manage verges, where it believes it to be appropriate, to enhance road safety.

However it is at the discretion of the Highway Authority to manage highway verges for this purpose which is not always appropriate, as often the dangers and unpleasantness associated with road severance still exists.

In addition Dorset County Council works with parishes and the Dorset Wildlife Trust managing verges as invaluable wildlife habitats and corridors providing refuge and travel routes for various plants and animals. In many instances managing these verges for access would be to the detriment of these wildlife areas.

Quote 

“Residents favour selective cutting of verges to protect flora and fauna” Broadmayne Parish Plan"

Unclassified County Roads (UCRs)

Unclassified County Roads (UCRs) consist of a “road” which is not classified as an A, B or C road by the Highway Authority.

Although the use of the term “road” suggests vehicular rights this should not be taken for granted. However, with regards to Dorset’s UCRs, it is generally understood that they all do carry full access rights, increasing access provision for walkers, horse-riders, cyclists, carriage and vehicular drivers.

UCRs can be surfaced, ie tarmacked or unsurfaced, ie ranging from gravel or rough stone to grass or vegetation.

To date records suggest that there are 237 unsurfaced UCRs in Dorset collectively totalling 138.75 miles (223.30 km) in length.

They potentially provide links between PRoW and additional routes increasing off road provision for all activities – especially pertinent for horse-riders, cyclists, horse carriage and motorised drivers.

However due to limited resources maintenance work is minimal and based upon the route’s level of usage and the number of requests from users.

Consequently the condition and use-ability of unsurfaced UCRs varies considerably.

Public Outdoor Space

The Dorset Countryside Service owns and/or manages 34 publicly accessible outdoor sites across Dorset.

These sites consist of lay-bys, car parks, picnic sites and view points, Country Parks and environmental conservation areas enabling people to experience and enjoy a range of landscapes and habitats.

Many other organisations, eg:

  • National Trust
  • Dorset Wildlife Trust
  • Forestry Commission
  • individuals

also provide publicly accessible sites.

Like Rights of Way in Dorset, the geographical spread of countryside sites varies across the county. These sites need to be reviewed to identify those that are useful, those that can be given up and locations where new sites are needed.

Work is also needed to evaluate the access role of each Dorset Countryside Service site within the wider access resource and formally build this element into all Service Site Management Plans.

Quote 

“We use the footpaths for enjoyment, exercise and for transport. They are a great way to get around without using the car” Photopostcard entrant

 

Theme 2: Improving customer service

Issues

Review the Definitive Map and Statement

There is a statutory duty to update and maintain the Legal Record so that it provides better information and certainty for all involved in PRoW. There are mapping anomalies and a backlog of definitive map modification and public path order applications that need to be addressed.

Improved feedback to members of the public

The public require easy access to accurate and up-to-date information about the access network.

Collating robust information about PRoW and sites

Availability and co-ordination of robust information about the character, condition and asset value of the Access Resource – and – about the needs of land-managers and the people who use/would like to use PRoW is limited. Such information is invaluable for management, maintenance and development of PRoW/sites.

Improved working practice

Efficient management of reported access problems and queries, work programmes and good policy and procedures provide effective working practice.

The assessment and consultation highlighted four key areas that need improvement to achieve an effective and efficient service.

Legal Record - Definitive Map and Statement

Integral to the management and use of the PRoW is the Definitive Map and Statement (DMS), the legal record of the location and (minimum) status of each recorded public right of way.

Dorset’s current DMS was published at a scale of 1:25000 in 1989.

Such small scale mapping has led to a number of anomalies arising from the difficulty in accurately interpreting the line on the map.

Funding is available until 2013 to publish an updated and consolidated Definitive Map and Statement at a scale that enables accurate interpretation of the character and position of each path.

The project is likely to take until 2018 and beyond.

T2.1 Aim: Review, update and correct the definitive map and statement of Public Rights of Way

The council is under a statutory duty to keep the DMS under continuous review, as set out in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 – Section 53 (WCA81). 

Any amendment or modification to the DMS requires a legal order.

The process for making orders is a lengthy one.

Reviewing the definitive map and correcting the resulting anomalies will inevitably generate many hundreds of legal orders.

The Legal Record is modified or amended by legal orders – Definitive Map Modification Orders31(DMMO’s) and Public Path Orders32 (PPOs)

A shortage of resources has led to a significant backlog of DMMO and PPO applications.

T2.2 Aim: Speed up DMMO and PPO processes and reduce the backlog of outstanding applications.

In the interests of fairness, modification applications are dealt with in order of receipt, unless they meet the criteria to be accelerated to the top of the list.

T2.3 Aim: Review and make publicly available the Statement of Priorities

Dorset is also under a duty to produce a register of DMMO applications which is currently underway.

It is an aim to transfer the existing paper format to digital to facilitate easy access by the public onto the Council website..

T2.4 Aim: Publish a digital version of the register of definitive map modification applications on the Council Website.

The process of dealing with applications for PPOs and DMMOs is set out within legislation and government guidance. It has been suggested that this legislation requires updating and that perhaps the existing legal processes and legal constraints should be challenged to speed the process and thus assist in reducing local authority backlogs.

T2.5 Aim: Review, challenge and offer alternatives to the existing processes and legal constraints.

Improve feedback to members of the public

Successful customer service relies on accurate and up-to-date information on the character, condition, use and legal status of Public Rights of Way and other access.

Data is collated in Cside, the countryside access team’s geographical information system database, including Rights of Way problems reported by the public.

This information forms the basis of officer’s day-to-day work programmes and enables us to manage the network. It is soon to be available on the Council website.

T2.6 Aim: Keep the public informed about progress of reported cases.

Information Base - Asset information

Robust information about the character, condition and use of PRoW and countryside sites is invaluable for their management, statutory maintenance and strategic improvement.

The Asset Management Plan is an inventory of Public Rights of Way infrastructure to which a financial value is attached to inform budgeting and prioritisation of maintenance and improvement.

Relevant information is fed into the Dorset County Council Highways Asset Management Plan and other plans and strategies raising the strategic profile of Public Rights of Way and demonstrating the cost effectiveness of investing in access network infrastructure and development.

The Definitive Map Review project is recording information describing the character of each PRoW.

However information from across the countryside service needs to be collated and user monitoring improved to provide a complete picture of the character, condition and use of PRoW and public space.

T2.7 Aim: Implement Strategic Access Management Planning - Quantify the value of the access asset for management and improvement planning.

T2.8 Aim: Continue to develop the information database (Cside) as a tool for management and maintenance of the Rights of Way and countryside sites network.

T2.9 Aim: To strive for continuous improvement in the relative condition of Dorset’s Rights of Way network and the satisfaction of its users and customers compared to other south west authorities.

Working practice

Aspiring to the aims of the RoWIP…

"to improve and maintain PRoW and sites so that they meet the needs of a wider range of people today and in the future”

…provides the opportunity to review, update and develop policy and procedures that adhere to statutory duties but provide scope to plan PRoW/site work that it addresses RoWIP issues and develops an effective network.

“The Rights of Way Improvement Plan will be the prime means by which the Highway Authority will identify and prioritise actions and plan for the improved management and development of the countryside access network”

Statutory guidance preparation of RoWIPs DEFRA 22 November 2002

T2.10 Aim: Review, develop and implement best practice policy/procedures for all aspects of PRoW/sites management and improvement

Dorset Direct’s (Dorset County Council’s contact centre) Customer Service Officers (CSOs) manage incoming calls, queries and reports for the Countryside Access team. CSOs are trained on various Rights of Way topics ensuring a quick and efficient service for the customer.

On average, CSOs are able to resolve at first contact two thirds of all Rights of Way calls received with a third being transferred to the Rights of Way team.

CSOs log reported problems directly on to Cside34 where they can subsequently be picked up by the relevant officer.

Regular training meetings are held between Countryside Access and Dorset Direct, creating a sound working relationship.

T2.11 Aim: Continue to strengthen the relationship with Dorset Direct to provide the best possible service to the public

Countryside project programming is guided by the Countryside and Business Development Management Team that monitors and supports the overall work programme of the Access Officers and Countryside Rangers.

It ensures that work/projects carried out by Access Officers and Rangers meet priorities identified in strategies/plans and are running on time and to budget.

T2.12 Aim: Maintain Countryside project programming to enable the work programmes of Rights of Way officers and countryside rangers to be strategy led and delivered on time and within budget

Promoted routes are developed to achieve broader social, environmental and economic benefits.

Therefore they are maintained to higher standards compared with that of general PRoW and often have unique signage and associated information and promotional material.

Subsequently they can be more costly to maintain than everyday PRoW and are developed with the aim of being largely self-sustaining with adequate resources to maintain them.

Consultation highlighted the following improvements to increase their appeal and usage:

  • ensuring that maintenance standards are consistently high and reflect promotional material
  • address routes severed by roads – that necessitate dangerous road crossings/use of roads
  • route promotion needs to be sensitive to the needs of the local community and landscape. There is concern that, in areas, the facilities and landscape cannot accommodate large numbers of people, which can have a detrimental effect on the landscape and local people’s quality of life

T2.13 Aim: Strategically manage promoted routes so that they achieve social, economic and environmental benefits and meet local expectations and needs

T2.14 Aim: Implement new coastal access rights to provide a continuous, future-proofed route, with associated coastal access land, around the whole of the Dorset coastline

 

 

 

Theme 3: Providing a safer and more accessible network

With 2855 miles of PRoW in Dorset it’s not so much about increasing provision by creating more PRoW – but more about increasing provision by improving what we already have and developing a meaningful network.

Issues

Maintenance

Where possible path maintenance today must be appropriate to people’s needs if we are to enable use by all members of the community.

Network Development

The Dorset PRoW network is fragmented due to road severance, limited provision for equestrians and cyclists and poor PRoW integration with wider highway infrastructure, car parks, public transport and new development.

These need to be addressed to develop community path networks providing real opportunities for people to travel sustainably on foot, horse and bike.

Maintenance

Dorset County Council manages numerous public outdoor sites and has a duty to assert and protect the rights of the public to use the Public Rights of Way network.

It has a legal responsibility to sign paths at the roadside and keep PRoW in good repair, safe and fit for public use (HA 1980) and statutory powers to manage access land and to undertake establishment, maintenance and management related to Coastal access rights (CRoW 2000/Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009).

It is the landowners’ responsibility to maintain stiles and gates on Public Rights of Way on their land. Landowners are also responsible for cutting back vegetation eg hedges, trees and shrubs overhanging a Public Right of Way.

It is also a landowners’ responsibility to reinstate a cross field path within 14 days after ploughing and/or cropping.

Headland paths should not be ploughed or cropped.

The assessment and public consultation showed that to improve outdoor access and enable greater use of it that problems effecting signage, structures and surfacing of paths need to be overcome.

Research for this plan has shown that regardless of age, ability and interest, although for different reasons, the same or similar problems are highlighted.

Therefore one solution will often improve a path/site for many different people.

This plan therefore highlights the problem with examples from different users to then find the best solution to achieve high quality access for all.

Maintenance issues raised by the public through consultation

Maintenance, equality and accessibility.

Consultees said that certain surfacing, signage and structures can present a barrier to some people (disabled, older, children) and an inconvenience to others.

Access maintenance today must be appropriate to people’s needs making paths and sites available to a wider range of people.

Quote

“Dorset’s PRoW must be kept in good order and accessible to as many people as possible including the disabled and less agile” Consultee

Dorset County Council comments.

When prioritising work Access Officers consider the types of use, the relative importance to the network and location.

Currently a 7 band priority scale is used to identify maintenance requirements.

Surfacing.

Consultees found that surface conditions can make a path difficult, unpleasant or impossible to use.

Problems raised included poor drainage resulting in flooding/mud especially difficult for walkers, young children and people using wheelchairs (although some children interviewed love the mud!); deep ruts especially difficult for horse carriage drivers; slippery/sharp surfacing hard for equestrians and uneven, unstable and unnecessarily steep paths difficult for people using wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Quotes 

“The only footpath suitable for wheelchairs is horrendous when it rains” Consultee

“There is a lovely track that links the leisure centre with the housing estate in Sturminster Newton; the middle bit is a gravel track at the edge of the field. Whereas either end the surface is fine. It needs to be turned into a proper path. The sign says it is a cycle path as well as a footpath, but you’d get punctures cycling on it!” Mum and Guide leader

“Most visually impaired people have great difficulty with mobility so could rarely use (PRoW) due to uneven surfaces” Community Care Officer

Consultees stated that impenetrable vegetation or overgrown paths, eg nettles/brambles are especially difficult for short, young children to walk through and people using wheelchairs, and are particular problems during spring and summer.

Dorset County Council comments.

Improved drainage and surfacing are expensive therefore identified problem paths should be prioritised for improvement where it would be of most benefit to the public. 

The Rights of Way Field Team operates a clearance programme that, due to limited resources, targets the most popular routes.

This programme covers 246km of PRoW and is entirely weather dependent.

Work is usually carried out between April and September in response to the growing season.

Signage

Consultees found colour coding for PRoW – yellow footpath, blue bridleway, red BOAT - confusing.

Ideally people prefer signs with information that can be understood by everyone such as destination; distance and activity permitted along the route.

Quote 

“Better directions and/or clearer signs would greatly aid the many confused walker who ask for help” Photopostcard entrant

Comments also highlighted signage susceptible to damage and fading. Missing signs can confuse people causing them to get lost and/or reach a dead end, a point particularly raised by carers and youth group leaders taking groups out into the countryside and deciding whether to follow a route or not.

Quote 

“People are unaware that there are PRoWs and are unwilling to walk somewhere when there is no information about where the route takes them or whether they are able to walk that far” Consultee

Dorset County Council comments.

Signage with detailed information would be impossible to finance and inappropriate for all routes but would be advantageous, where resources allow, for certain routes eg those linking communities, taking people to local services and attractions and promoted routes. In other locations, symbols, eg the walking person, horse, cyclist and horse carriage/vehicle are sufficient to let the public know that they are allowed to walk/ride on this path.

Structures

Gates, bridges, stiles etc that are in poor condition or are impractical in design pose problems for various people.

Numerous comments requested the replacement of stiles with gates or gaps, particularly in and around settlements, as many people of all ages and abilities find stiles difficult to climb over.

Quote 

“Please replace all (old) stiles with gates – especially near villages” Photo-postcard entrant

Consultees requested that gates are appropriate for purpose and wide enough to enable people with rucksacks/baby carriers and driving pushchairs, mobility vehicles and horse carriages to pass through easily.

Quotes

“The bridleways tend to be good because they are wider and have gates rather than stiles” Parent and pushchair user

“We have pathways and footpaths but are unable to use them as we can’t use stiles, five bar gates or kissing gates” Disability Action Group, Child Okeford

Gates operational from horseback would help riders but especially those with mobility impairment or mounting blocks provided.

Horse carriage drivers highlight the need for edges on bridges.

Other requests include the provision of cycle lock up facilities and dog gates.

Quote 

“More dog friendly stiles would be a great benefit” Photo postcard entrant

Dorset County Council comments.

Gates and stiles are the property of the landowner who should maintain them in safe condition so that they are convenient to use.

The highway authority may contribute 25% towards the cost of repair of gates and stiles; it may also enter into agreements with landowners to provide improvements ie to replace stiles with gates that are safer or more convenient for persons with mobility problems.

Stiles also help to provide variety in exercise – and many children love to clamber over them. Many bridges are the responsibility of the County Council.

There are 3500 bridges in the county which require regular inspection to meet Health and Safety.

Fourteen hundred Rights of Way bridges are made of timber with an expected life span of 15 years.

To maintain a healthy bridge stock, approximately 100 of these timber structures require replacement annually; we need to replace more if the network is to be improved.

Currently the revenue budget allows about 30 bridges to be replaced each year.

There is a clear shortfall in staff and financial capacity to achieve this target.

Good local design

Whilst public need and cost effectiveness are important considerations when repairing, replacing or installing new structures it is also important to consider the design and materials used for a sign/gate/ bridge etc in relation to its location and surrounding landscape.

Some structures may be key local features providing variety and character in the landscape and overall outdoor experience.

For example an old stone stile, stepping stones, railings etc possibly made by a local craftsman and embedded in local history.

Quote 

“Regarding the removal of a stile “It hurts me to see it was gone for my affections claim a friendship with such things” John Clare 19tC

Maintenance of the access network is a daunting task for any local authority, Dorset being no exception.

The procedures currently employed in Dorset are consistent with examples of good management practice elsewhere. Benchmarking with other local authorities helps to establish best practice and ensure consistency of approach to network management.

The County Council will deploy a broad range of resources to seek to maintain the public rights of way network.

This will, of course, be dependent upon available resources and new ways of working will be piloted to help engage volunteers and voluntary organisations from the wider community in helping to maintain the network within future financial constraints.

The County Council has clear standards and advises landowners on the type of structures that meet the requirement of using the least restrictive.

All the following “aims” (T3.1-T3.8) to embrace access for all, local distinctiveness and environmental needs.

T3.1 Aim: Develop and implement best practice for all aspects of rights of way maintenance including review and update of the Council’s maintenance and enforcement policy

T3.2 Aim: Develop a prioritisation scheme for Rights of Way maintenance that reflects legal requirements and availability of resources.

T3.3 Aim: Produce guidance and standards for Rights of Way structures, waymarking and sign-posting, also produce a specification for a range of surface treatments.

T3.4 Aim: Develop work programmes for routine maintenance issues, eg. inspections, vegetation maintenance and signage. (Target to achieve 75% signposted ROW by 2013)

T3.5 Aim: Develop a programme of bridge inspections and other PRoW structures which will feed into the database and enable a rolling programme of bridge replacements based on their condition.

T3.6 Aim: Develop a structures policy that encourages landowners to choose the least restrictive option when replacing Rights of Way furniture or putting new structures on a diversion.

T3.7 Aim: Develop policy for authorising bridges, stiles and gates etc and keep up-to-date a detailed register of authorised structures.

T3.8 Aim: Make best use of technology that supports mobile working to increase productivity

Network Development

Consultation resulted in numerous requests and ideas for seamless networks of safe off-road routes enabling people of all ages, needs and abilities to walk/ride/cycle safely in and around their village/ town, out to neighbouring settlements and into and about the wider countryside. The key issues cited preventing such networks are:

  • road severance
  • in areas limited provision for equestrians and cyclists
  • poor integration with wider highway infrastructure eg lack of pavement/cycle-lane, high kerbs
  • poor integration with public transport and car parks

The following explains the above issues.

Throughout Dorset people often have to travel along and/or cross a road to be able to reach another path or site.

Be it on a main road or a country lane – out in the countryside or in the heart of a town/ village having to deal with motorised traffic puts people off travelling sustainably ie walking or riding.

Quotes

“Too many Dorset paths and bridleways are disconnected from a worthwhile route. It would dramatically improve Dorset if a more co-ordinated network of paths and bridleways was created” Photo-postcard competition entrant.

“It is not … currently possible to walk, ride or cycle a complete circuit of the village without having to travel at least part of the way on one of the main village roads” Lytchett Matravers Parish Plan

Private car ownership and motorised traffic on Dorset’s roads is high and increasing in volume, speed and size.

This is because Dorset is largely rural with many remote, small, communities limited in local facilities and public transport.

Owning a car gives people the convenience and flexibility to travel easily around Dorset to go about their daily lives.

Again local people and tourists tend to travel by car when visiting the coast, countryside and attractions. From main roads to country lanes you will find, for example, motor-bikes, cars, people carriers, jeeps, vans, lorries and large agricultural vehicles/machinery.

The key problem is that some drivers show little awareness of and consideration to walkers/riders and fail to slow down quickly or adequately enough if at all and/or leave ample space.

Dorset County Council is working in partnership with other organisations including other local authorities and the emergency services as “Dorset Road safe”, implementing the “No Excuse” campaign targeting bad and careless drivers.

Regardless of age, ability and/or experience the pedestrian, horse-rider, cyclist and horse carriage driver often feel and often are vulnerable to the hazards associated with having to negotiate inconsiderate drivers and their vehicles.

Disabled and visually impaired people, people using pushchairs and/or with young children and people supervising groups of children drew attention to their vulnerability when being forced onto roads.

When walking/riding along a road, space can be limited with no adequate refuge.

When trying to cross a road there may not be a safe place to cross and visibility, for example, on road bends, at PRoW/road junctions or in low light conditions, may be poor – and it is often the case of having to “make a quick dash for it”

Whilst the walker/rider needs to be road safe/aware the driver also needs to be aware that a person may not be so steady on their feet or that their vision may be impaired; that children can get distracted and “forget” vehicles are there; that horses, however road safe, are easily startled and that cyclists, although seemingly more predictable than horses, can swerve/fall into traffic due to being startled, uneven road surfaces or the force from passing traffic.

In addition to the feeling of vulnerability, walkers, horse-riders, cyclists and horse carriage drivers have highlighted that having to use roads can often reduce the enjoyment of the experience of being outdoors due to motorised traffic noise, pollution and spray and an increasingly urbanised approach to road design.

They can also feel anxious and pressurised when motorists feel they are inconveniently holding up traffic by being on the road.

These concerns are reinforced by the request from equestrians and cyclists for more off-road routes which are currently limited to them.

Quotes 

“More bridleways as the roads are dangerous” Shroton Parish Plan

“better off-road access for horse-riders has to be the way to help us all be safe and happy” Photo-postcard entrant

A key concern for many Towns and Parishes, road severance means that many people use their car even for short journeys to get to local facilities.

Quotes 

"Danger spots and speeding on the roads in the parish were matters of serious concern” Hinton St Mary Parish Plan

“Crossing roads is a nightmare in Stalbridge” Consultee

“Too many people are driving short distances across the village and parish” Photo-postcard competition entrant

Consultees highlighted that where pedestrian and cycling facilities such as pavements and cycle lanes do exist they are sometimes poorly designed or integrated with roads and PRoW.

People commented on cycle lanes coming to an abrupt end; pavements too narrow or narrowed by obstacles such as lampposts forcing people onto the road and a lack of dropped kerbs making it difficult for everyone but especially for people with disabilities, using wheelchairs and with children.

Quotes 

“Access to the playing field is difficult because there are kerbs” Consultee

“The telegraph pole on Wyke Street in Shaftesbury” Consultee

People consulted, especially those with a physical illness or disability, said that such initial negative experiences trying to get out and about close to home deterred them from further exploring countryside access, as the assumption was that there would be more problems to battle with.

It is roughly estimated that in Dorset there are 6,187 locations where PRoW start/finish at roads.

The A35 trunk road with road speeds ranging from 30mph to 70mph severs or isolates approximately 80 sections of PRoW.

Little specific research exists for Dorset, which analyses the nature of the road network and its contribution – positive and negative – to the Countryside Access Network today and in the future.

When evaluating PRoW affected by highway/building development, data such as accident numbers and user counts are often used.

It is inappropriate to totally rely on such information because:

  • road severance may be distorting results by making PRoW unsafe to use reducing the number of potential users
  • use of the path may vary daily and seasonally and range from individuals to groups of people. When is the best time to do user counts?
  • lack of data does not necessarily mean lack of need or demand, or devalue the path
  • public perception of a dangerous stretch of road or road crossing may, after further research, be concluded as inaccurate but should not be dismissed. Such perception may continue to prevent people from using such routes and action is needed to address this

Work is needed to effectively integrate PRoW with the wider highway network.

This will be achieved through links between the RoWIP and the LTP3 and LDF and subsequent work with highways and developers.

Each location, where conflict between paths and roads exists, will need to be evaluated individually depending on, for example:

  • local need – the problem with and role of the path
  • location – urban/rural, landscape character/designation
  • the paths strategic role within the wider access resource
  • cost implications and resources available

And where a strong need to resolve road severance is identified improvement solutions will vary and depend on available resources, for example:

  • altering the route of a path to create routes that avoid using roads
  • the development, signage and promotion of key strategic routes
  • the use of various crossing methods from altering the route of the path to create a safer crossing point, integrating it with traffic calming initiatives or existing infrastructure (eg underpasses) or the installation of Pegasus crossings or footbridges

Use of Public transport helps to reduce vehicles on the roads and better links with PRoW/green space would increase use especially for tourists.

Where people do use their vehicles to get to PRoW/green space unofficial car parking can damage roadside verges/hedgebanks, congest narrow lanes and obstruct access points eg farm gateways/ lanes.

It is therefore necessary to provide well designed car parks that sit well in the landscape and provide adequate facilities, eg cycle lock up, horse boxing bays and seating.

T3.9 Aim: Identify road severance locations and seek opportunities to make improvements.

T3.10 Aim: Work with partners to address road safety and incorporate PRoW into various initiatives.

T3.11 Aim: Seek opportunities to develop community path networks of safe off-road routes enabling people of all ages, needs and abilities to walk/ride safely in and around their village/ town, out to neighbouring settlements and into and about the wider countryside.

T3.12 Aim: Seek opportunities to increase cycling networks

T3.13 Aim: Seek opportunities to increase bridleway networks

T3.14 Aim: Better integrate PRoW/green space with public transport and well designed car parks – facilitating sustainable transport, tourism and economy and environmental protection.

Countryside and Business Development Policy Aspiration

The development of new or existing PRoW as key strategic routes will be for multi-user use.

That is, where possible, the route will provide access for walkers, horse-riders, cyclists and horse carriage drivers of all ages and abilities.

Good reasoning must be provided where it is not possible to accommodate any one of these activities and, at the very least, good links made on/off the key route to accommodate such users either for immediate or future implementation.

 

 

 

 

Theme 4: Involving local people and partner organisations

Issues

Community Involvement

Local people value the role paths and outdoor sites play in improving their quality of life; have a wealth of local knowledge and ideas as to how they should be managed and developed and want to be actively involved in taking this forward.

Partnership organisations

There are numerous examples of good partnership projects. Local Authorities neighbouring Dorset have highlighted the need to work more closely together when managing paths that cross the county boundary.

Dorset Local Access Forum (DLAF)

The Dorset Local Access Forum is a statutory, independent, voluntary group advising on all matters linking to paths and outdoor sites and is well placed to facilitate communication by communities and organisations with Dorset County Council.

Volunteers

Volunteers do much good work but there is still scope to build on this and better coordinate the work they do.

Dorset has a significant population of older people (65+) which is projected to increase.

Many want to provide their experience, energy and expertise to help with access management and development.

Young volunteers can gain good training and experience helping them to secure jobs and possibly stay in Dorset.

The RoWIP process has provided a means for local people and partners to get more actively involved in access management and development and must continue to facilitate this process.

The implementation of many of the actions in this plan will be dependent upon the pooling of resources and focusing of effort through strong partnerships with local people and organisations.

Community groups and local people

Research for this plan highlighted how much local people value the role Dorset’s paths and outdoor space play in improving their quality of life and that they want to get actively involved in their maintenance and improvement.

In particular these points were strongly made by local people, in many community, town and parish plans, by Rights of Way Liaison Officers, through The Dorset Local Access Forum and by user groups such as the Ramblers’ Association and British Horse Society.

Quote 

“…42 respondents said that they would be willing to maintain footpaths and bridleways” Hinton St Mary Parish Plan

RoWIP improvement work will necessitate local people helping to do research, work up project briefs, testing solutions and helping to secure funding.

T4.1 Aim: Consult and work with local communities through their Parish Councils and Community groups to develop and implement the RoWIP

Parish and town councils could be offered financial support to assist them in minor maintenance works to improve their local network.

T4.2 Aim: Provide small (light-touch) grants to parish councils and other groups to carry out works in local community area.

Partnership Organisations

There are many examples of good partnerships between the Dorset Countryside Service and other organisations.

One such example is the Dorset and East Devon Coastal Corridor Plan Partnership working together to develop an Action Plan to improve the management and development of the coastal corridor embracing access issues.

Dorset’s neighbouring authorities raised the need for partnership working to:

  • improve management of promoted routes crossing authority boundaries and ensure consistency in route maintenance
  • resolve path status anomalies at authority boundaries
  • determine bridge ownership and maintenance responsibility for river bridges on authority area boundaries

Dorset Local Access Forum

The Dorset Local Access Forum (DLAF) is a statutory, independent, voluntary, advisory group on all matters relating to Rights of Way and countryside access.

The DLAF play an invaluable role helping to implement actions in this plan. For example advising on best practice and policy development, strategic RoWIP projects and Access Land development not to mention continuing to provide a key link for the County Council with Dorset people, communities and organisations.

T4.5 Aim: Continue to work with and support the DLAF encouraging their involvement in implementing the RoWIP and with all aspects of countryside access

Volunteers

The work of the Dorset Countryside Service is greatly enhanced through the help and support of numerous volunteers.

Volunteers currently range from formal groups such as parish Rights of Way Liaison Officers and Friends groups to local people and visitors who report problems they see.

We really appreciate volunteers giving us their time and energy not only because of the vital work they do but also because we enjoy working with them and value the opportunity to benefit from their wealth of local knowledge and invaluable insight into the issues associated with specific locations.

Dorset has a significant population of older, retired people, which is projected to increase. Many want to provide their experience, energy and expertise to help with access management and development.

Good volunteering experience can provide training and experience for younger people in preparation for employment, possibly enabling them to live and work in Dorset.

The RoWIP process of research and consultation has fully engaged with local people, communities and partners helping to shape this plan and decide the priorities for outdoor access improvement and development. 

Research for this plan showed that people want this process to continue as they feel it is an effective way of bringing people together to:

  • address specific issues and agree good solutions
  • ensure that paths and sites are brought up-to-date to meet current and future needs.
  • identify initiatives to improve access to address wider issues such as health and the local economy

Quotes 

“It is so good for everyone to have the chance to be looking ahead for a change; and for us all to be encouraged genuinely to think positively and constructively about the many issues that need to be considered. I am sure that the way you are pitching it is just right for everyone. And that seems so important particularly for the many people who want to play a role all around the County”. Dorset resident

“Many thanks and congratulations for the very successful RoWIP meeting… I feel sure you are heading in the right direction to progress this very important plan” User Group Representative.

“I found the meeting informative and constructive, and I was glad to have attended. Thank you on all counts.” User Group representative.

T4.6 Aim: Continue supporting and developing Friends groups.

T4.7 Aim: Enhance the existing work of Access and Ranger volunteer groups. To expand the Dorset Volunteer Ranger service into countryside access.

T4.8 Aim: Offer training opportunities for volunteers to ensure safe working practices and consistency of approach.

T4.9 Aim: Improve opportunities for all members of the local community to volunteer their expertise and time to help manage and improve Dorset’s Rights of Way network and countryside sites.

Theme 5: Providing good information about the network

Issues

Rights and responsibilities

Some land-managers and members of the public lack an understanding of their rights and responsibilities concerning the use and care of paths.

Dog fouling

Some dog owners are not aware of the importance of clearing up after their dog when it fouls within settlements on town and village paths and out in the wider countryside in fields.

Coordination and provision of good information

A coordinated approach to providing good information is needed to avoid confusion, ensure it is reaching the widest possible audience and promote enjoyment of the countryside for everyone.

Market research and gaps in information

Research is needed to fully understand the breadth and needs of the many people who use/ would like to use PRoW and sites. Equestrians, cyclists, younger and disabled people, in particular, need good information appropriate to their needs.

Technology

There is scope to develop Dorset County Council’s web-pages and other technology to promote Dorset’s paths and public green space.

Rights and responsibilities

RoWIP consultation highlights the need to encourage an informed and common sense approach to both the use and care of Rights of Way and countryside sites.

This means people who use them understanding their rights and responsibilities and showing respect for the needs of agriculture, forestry, environmental conservation and other users.

The provision of good information is vital. It lets people know where they can go, what they can do and what to expect. This enables people to get out and enjoy paths and sites confidently and responsibly, sympathetic to the needs of land management.

It also necessitates that land-managers understand their rights and responsibilities and provide good access.

Dorset County Council distributes some relevant information but the above need suggests that it is not reaching everyone therefore its format, content and distribution could be improved.

T5.1 Aim: Produce information for the public and land-managers explaining their rights and responsibilities regards PRoW.

Dog fouling

One area of particular concern for both access users and land-managers is the problem of dog mess on paths and countryside sites.

Dog mess is unpleasant for everyone and reduces the enjoyment of using paths and sites for both recreational and practical purposes.

Dog mess is easily picked up on footwear and bike, pushchair and wheelchair wheels and therefore potentially onto hands and back into homes, it is a potential health hazard.

Quotes 

“Dog mess is still a problem on the footpaths” Bothenhampton and Walditch Parish Plan

“Biggest problem is dog dirt … we can’t let the children run ahead because of the dog poo!” Consultee.

It can be detrimental to land-management.

Enrichment of nutrient poor habitats managed for conservation and educational purposes not only threatens the delicate balance of special habitats but also poses a health hazard for anyone working on the site clearing vegetation or conducting plant and animal surveys.

Farmers highlighted in the consultation the issue of dog disturbance and worrying of livestock and game but of particular concern was the problem of un-wormed dogs.

These dog owners are responsible for a range of health problems suffered by farm animals grazing land where dogs with intestinal parasites have defecated.

There is also the problem of dog litter bags being left behind.

Dogs are required to be under close control. Clear information regarding control of dogs is available via the internet at www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/enjoying/countrysidecode/keepdogs.aspx

Quote 

“How do we solve the continuous problem of dog mess?”Corscombe Parish Plan.

It is apparent that some people do not understand the importance of clearing up after their dog whether it defecates on paths/sites within or close to settlements or remote paths/sites, eg across fields.

Sadly these dog owners give a bad name to the many responsible dog owners who keep their dogs under control, worm them, clear up their dog’s mess and take it home to dispose of properly.

A programme of training and events on responsible dog ownership has been provided under the remit of Open Access. The Dorset Dogs website can be found at www.dorsetdogs.org.uk

T5.2 Aim: Provide information and training to dog owners, work with local authority dog wardens in education, provision of facilities and enforcement

Co-ordination of good information

Dorset County Council together with numerous other organisations produces literature, organises activities and installs signs and panels for the purposes of education, interpretation, information and promotion of paths and sites.

Such material helps to promote the work of organisations and engage public support.

However, research shows that there is duplication that may cause confusion and can unnecessarily clutter the landscape. Improved coordination of the development and installation of this material is needed.

T5.3 Aim: Better co-ordinate the development and installation of path/site information

To make sure that resources are used efficiently it is important to monitor the effectiveness of the information we produce and its distribution. This ensures that the information is doing its job, reaching people and that the distribution outlets are the right ones.

Quote 

“…often sold out of their already limited stocks and that to maintain public interest and enjoyment information needs to be up-to-date” Tourist Information Centre Staff.

T5.4 Aim: Review current information provision and identify how to reach more people through design, format and distribution..

Gaps in Information

Consultation highlighted gaps in information and the need to review the path and site information and activities Dorset County Council currently provides.

Extensive information is available for walkers but there is a need for good information for horse-riders, cyclists, horse carriage drivers, vehicular drivers, young people and people with disabilities.

At the very least practical details such as the condition and character of paths and sites would enable people to decide for themselves where they can go.

Research is needed to investigate whether the people who enjoy and who want to use Dorset’s Public Rights of Way and countryside sites are being provided with the right information and organised activities, at the right times and in the right locations.

There is also opportunity to “theme” material and produce it in different formats so that it appeals to a wider constituency and broadens the purpose of access by catering for different interests and needs.

Such information would assist Dorset in meeting the needs of various groups for example, young people, families, the elderly, schools,

Dorset’s ethnic community, tourists and visitors and address wider issues such as outdoor activities for better health, celebrating Dorset’s cultural, environmental and historic heritage and holiday packs encouraging sustainable transport, tourism and input into the local economy. 

T5.5 Aim: Establish good market research and monitoring methods service wide

T5.6 Aim: Provide activities and information that meets the needs of local people and visitors to Dorset – and reflects the breadth of opportunities Dorset has to offer

Technology

There are numerous opportunities to use technology to inform people about access opportunities in ‘Dorset. For example - Face book, blogs, iPhones, and GPS – which may also be good ways of engaging younger people.

Research is needed to ascertain how useful this media might be in encouraging people to enjoy PRoW/countryside sites. The Dorset County Council’s web-pages promotes Dorset’s access network and countryside sites.

There is scope to develop the website to better meets the needs of the public in using PRoW and countryside sites – and - gather information to help inform future management and improvement of paths and sites in Dorset.

Quote 

“We would like to see the county website promoting activities and events to an even greater extent with more information” Photopostcard entrant.

T5.7 Aim: Develop and keep up-to-date Rights of Way and countryside site information on the DorsetforYou website.

T5.8 Aim: Investigate the effectiveness of modern technology, on-line media and social networking

 

Action plan

Whilst Local Authorities are responsible for implementing their RoWIPs there is no specific funding available to do so.

Therefore priorities need to be agreed and partnerships and funding sources will have to be identified for the delivery of the following actions.

Some actions may be achieved relatively quickly and others are a long-term aspiration.

However in striving to improve paths and sites in Dorset the RoWIP provides a holistic approach including all the issues that need to be addressed and all the actions necessary to address them.

The Dorset RoWIP provides a key reference document, especially for Access Officers and Countryside Rangers but also others, providing focus for the management and improvement of Dorset’s PRoW and sites, and their development in helping to achieve broader social, economic and environmental benefits.

Implementation will involve a variety of people/organisations, for example:

  • various Local Authority staff
  • PRoW, Countryside Rangers
  • Highways
  • Planning

but also external individuals/ organisations such as:

  • land-managers
  • public health bodies
  • tourism providers
  • local people
  • visitors
  • Town/Parish and District councils

 

The way forward

Local Authorities are encouraged to be “innovative” in their approach to finding funding sources, identifying partnerships and engaging volunteers.

The RoWIP details the key areas that need to be addressed to bring Dorset’s PRoW up-to-date and fully functioning as a network.

It is a key reference point for management and improvement of Dorset’s PRoW/sites guiding decision-making about management priorities, targeting of resources, development of policy and procedures, seeking out funding opportunities and securing them when they arise and for PRoW/site development in helping to achieve broader social, economic and environmental benefits.

Some actions may be achieved relatively quickly, others are a long-term aspiration.

Implementing the ROWIP

The production of this RoWIP is the start of a process to improve the Rights of Way and access network.

The County Council supports the delivery of RoWIP projects.

The Dorset Local Access Forum will advise on the delivery of RoWIP objectives. Implementation will be coordinated and monitored by Dorset County Council Officers.

The Countryside and Business Development Service Plan will detail timescales and costs.

The RoWIP works closely alongside both LTP346 (of which it is a key supporting strategy) and the planning system and is linked with numerous other plans and will seek opportunities for joint initiatives to implement PRoW/site improvements.

Implementation will involve a variety of individuals and organisations.

Annual Reports – monitoring and evaluation

Annual progress reports will be provided to the Dorset Local Access Forum and Dorset County Council and will be publicly available on the Council website.

The Dorset Local Access Forum will give an independent view on progress and priorities to implement actions from the RoWIP.

Measures will be put in place to monitor improvement work and annual reports will detail and review progress made during the previous year and outline targets for the year ahead; describe and evaluate work completed and highlight lessons learnt e.g. best practice and any research carried out; and highlight any key legislative, corporate and process changes important to the delivery of the RoWIP e.g. Local planning, the Local Transport Plan, national initiatives and funding opportunities, enabling the RoWIP to be altered accordingly or highlight the need to conduct an earlier review of the RoWIP.

RoWIP1 review

Statutory guidance advises that a RoWIP is reviewed every 10 years.

Appendix 1: Research carried out for the Dorset RoWIP

Literature Review - ongoing

Dorset Local Access Forum (joint with Bournemouth and Poole) ongoing

Collate and review existing research/data

  • Forum Meeting discussions
  • Forum Workshops
  • Forum topic sub-working groups

Literature Review - ongoing

Dorset Local Access Forum Countryside Access Consultation Document “A Future for Countryside Access in Dorset”. Public Consultation

Collate and review existing research/data

Written by DLAF in conjunction with Dorset Countryside examining the breadth of issues pertinent to the RoWIP process and Countryside Access across Dorset. Widely distributed, well received and generated positive and useful feedback.

Literature Review - ongoing

User group interviews ongoing - Public Consultation

Collate and review existing research/data

Interviews with user group representatives supplemented by questionnaire and web based research.

Literature Review - ongoing

Farmer and land manager interviews/ research. ongoing - Public Consultation

Collate and review existing research/data

Interviews with and information sent in by farmers, land managers, the CLA and NFU in response to articles in CLA/NFU publications and local press.

Literature Review - ongoing

Focus Study Research “Access to the countryside; Access to Services”. The Countryside Agency47selected and funded DCC as a lead authority to pilot the RoWIP process and research the role Countryside Access plays facilitating access to countryside and services. Public Consultation.

Collate and review existing research/data

Approximately 1000 interviews with local people in villages, market towns and countryside venues. Additional interviews/focus groups with representatives from local businesses, older people, younger people, people with mobility, visibility impairment and families.

Literature Review - ongoing

Annual Photo-postcard competition ongoing - Public Consultation

Collate and review existing research/data

  • countywide competition encouraging local people and visitors to send in their images, issues and improvement ideas
  • a selection of photo entries illustrate the chapters in this document

Literature Review - ongoing

Dorset Countryside Service Access Officer workshop Dorset Countryside Service Ranger Workshop.

Collate and review existing research/data

Data audit and assessment of current practice – management, maintenance, promotion, legal procedures, access for all, sustainable practice and current understanding of the network and the user.

Literature Review - ongoing

Dorset Countryside Service Access Officer Sustainability Audit Workshop.

Collate and review existing research/data

Co-ordinated by the DCC Agenda 21 Team who identified themes for the workshop from this background research and DLAF vision document.

Literature Review - ongoing

Dorset County Council Officer meetings/ interviews. ongoing

Collate and review existing research/data

Information gathering and integrating plans/strategies.

For example:

  • meetings with officers concerned with:
    • Highways and Transportation
    • Local Transport Plan
    • Local Development Framework
    • Cycling
    • Safe routes to schools
    • Accident analyst
    • traffic management and public transport
    • Outdoor education
    • Social Services
    • Archaeology
    • Environmental Records (DERC)
    • Digital mapping (GIS)
    • Tourism
    • Coastal Policy

Literature Review - ongoing

District and neighbouring Council Officers - meetings/interviews/questionnaires. Ongoing

Collate and review existing research/data

All Dorset County District and neighbouring LAs

Literature Review - ongoing

Meetings with representatives from:

  • the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty partnerships
  • Dorset AONB
  • Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB

Collate and review existing research/data

Meetings with AONB representatives to provide information for the AONB management Plans, gather information for the Rights Of Way Improvement Plan and explore means for closer ways of working.

Both Dorset and Cranborne AONB Management Plan’s endorse and make clear links with the Dorset RoWIP.

Literature Review - ongoing

Community Planning

Collate and review existing research/data

Meetings/discussions with representatives from Dorset Strategic and Local Community partnerships.

Analysis of and information gathering from the community strategy and all available community, Town and Parish Plans.

Literature Review - ongoing

Towards a Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Dorset. Draft consultation February 2007

Collate and review existing research/data

  • Town and parish Councils
  • District Councils
  • neighbouring authorities
  • user groups
  • land management organisations
  • organisations representing social, economic and environmental interests
  • DLAF
  • DCC Officers

93% agreed with overall document,, issues and actions.

Literature Review - ongoing

Statutory Guidance Assessment guidance. Ongoing

Collate and review existing research/data

  • a study of the Definitive Map and Statement of public rights of way
  • consideration of the Definitive Map in conjunction with the wider highway network – cycle tracks/permissive routes/road network
  • consideration of applications for changes to the Definitive Map e.g. modifications, public path orders
  • consideration of requests for network improvements
  • consideration of data detailing the condition of the network
  • consideration of other relevant information e.g. plans, strategies, research etc
  • targeted and/or general public consultation

Literature Review - ongoing

DCC Dorset Countryside Service website Public Consultation / promotion. Ongoing

Collate and review existing research/data

Inviting comments regards consultation documents and issues/improvement ideas for Dorset’s ROWIP.

Appendix 3: Consultees

Thank you to everyone who has helped shaped this plan – we look forward to working with you in its implementation.

Local Access Forums:

  • Dorset Local Access Forum
  • Hampshire
  • Devon
  • Somerset
  • Wiltshire

Walking:

  • The Ramblers Association
  • Dorset
  • National
  • New Forest
  • Beaminster Rambling Club
  • South West Coast Path Association
  • South West Coast Path Team
  • CAPROW Canford and Purbeck rights of way
  • Long Distance Walkers Association
  • Swanage Walking Group
  • The Monarchs Way Association
  • Wessex Orienteering Club

Equestrian:

  • British Horse Society
  • Byways and Bridleways Trust
  • British Driving Society
  • 3 counties Bridleway Group
  • Corscombe and District Bridleway Group
  • Poole Pony Club
  • Wimborne and District Riding Club
  • Purbeck

Cycling:

  • Cyclists Touring Club
  • Purbeck Action for Cycling Team
  • Dorset Cyclists Network
  • Dorset Cycling Liaison Forum
  • Sustrans

Vehicular:

  • Auto Cycle Union
  • Dorset Landrovers Club
  • Friends of Dorset Rights of Way (FoDROW)
  • Land Access Recreation Association (LARA)
  • Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF)

Community:

  • All Dorset Town and Parish Councils
  • All Dorset Rights of Way Liaison Officers (RoWLOWs)
  • Dorset Community Action (DCA)
  • Common Ground South
  • West Arts

Older people:

  • Age Concern
  • Gillingham Senior Forum

Disability - Access for All:

  • North Dorset Disability Action Group
  • North Dorset Disability Information Service
  • Lifestyles Dorset
  • Disabled Ramblers Association
  • Disabled Drivers Association
  • Riding for the Disabled Dorset Association for the Disabled
  • Fieldfare Trust

Agriculture:

  • Country Landowners Association (CLA)
  • National Farmers Union (NFU)

(The above organisations kindly coordinated mail-outs to members)

Forestry:

  • Forestry Commission
  • The Woodland Trust

Landscape/Heritage:

  • Dorset Archaeological Committee
  • Dorset Geologists’ Association
  • Dorset Important Geological Sites Group
  • Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society
  • Dorset Chalk and Cheese
  • North Dorset Countryside and Heritage Panel
  • Purbeck Heritage Committee
  • South West Protected Landscapes Forum
  • Urban Heath Life Project
  • World Heritage Steering Group c/o Devon CC
  • National Trust
  • English  Heritage
  • CPRE
  • Open Spaces Society
  • Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre

Action plan - Theme 2: Improving customer service

Objective:

To ensure that the Legal Record of PRoW – Definitive Map and Statement - is up-to-date and accurately maintained and to make it easier for people to engage in legal processes to change the Legal Record.

Table. Objective: To ensure that the Legal Record of PRoW – Definitive Map and Statement - is up-to-date and accurately maintained and to make it easier for people to engage in legal processes to change the Legal Record
Aim Actions Timescale
2.1 Review, update and
correct the Definitive Map
and Statement of Public
Rights of Way
  • implement mobile working practices to correct the DMS through the deployment of new technologies 
  • develop a new more detailed Definitive Statement
  • produce a consolidated DMS at an appropriate scale
  • refer to anomalies found in the 1998 Ramblers survey as part of the Definitive Map
  • review along with all available documentary evidence.
  • implement a scheme of delegation to enable simple and non-controversial corrections and modifications to the Definitive Map and Statement
  • December 2010 and ongoing to conclusion of Definitive Map Review project
  • 2011
2.2 Speed up DMMO and
PPO processes and reduce
the backlog of outstanding
applications
  • prioritise applications as received
  • review and establish processes for determining applications
  • determine applications
  • prioritise outstanding DMMO/PPO applications and establish resource and timetable to address them
  • determine outstanding DMMOs and PPOs
  • ongoing
  • done
  • ongoing
  • ongoing
  • ongoing
2.3 Review and make
publicly available the
Statement of Priorities
  • review and agree Statement of Priorities
  • publish on Dorset for You
  • 2010
  • 2011
2.4 Publish a digital version
of the register of definitive
map modification applications
(DMMOs) and Public Path
Orders (PPOs) on the County
Councils website - Dorset for
You – www.dorsetforyou.com
  • produce a register of DMMO applications
  • digitise register of DMMO applications
  • produce register of PPO  applications
  • digitise register of PPO applications
  • December 2011
  • December 2011
  • ongoing
  • aspirational
2.5 Review, challenge and
offer alternatives to the
existing processes and legal
constraints
  • challenge existing processes and legal constraints in order to deliver more for less
  • timescale to coincide with Stakeholder Working Group consultation and implementation of proposals

Objective

Improve feedback to members of the public

Table. Objective: Improve feedback to members of the public
Aim Actions Timescale
2.6 Keep the public
informed about progress of
reported cases and other
matters affecting PRoW
  • provide information electronically on Dorset for You
    • for example – DMMOs, PPOs, Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), Road Schemes.
 June 2011

Objective

Establish a robust database of information for Management and Rights of Way Improvement Planning.

Table. Objective: Establish a robust database of information for Management and Rights of Way Improvement Planning
Aim  Actions  Timescale 
2.7 Implement Strategic
Asset Management
planning - quantify the
value of the access asset
for management and
improvement planning
  • prepare an Asset Management Plan for countryside access and Rights of Way – identify the value of the PRoW asset
  • identify the value of the PRoW maintenance backlog 
  • feed into Highways Asset Management Plan (HAMP) (nationally known as Transport Asset Management Plan (TAMP)
  • done
  • done
  • 2011

2.8

  • continue to develop the information database (Cside) as a tool for the management and improvement of the Rights of Way and countryside sites network.
  • to: enable  greater understanding of the character, condition and use of PRoW and sites; better understand the needs of the people who  use/would like to use Dorset’s PRoW and sites; improve monitoring and review of work done; facilitate maintenance programmes and management plans and improve overall customer service
  • implement measures to maintain database Implement service wide Cside training to ensure effectiveness of system 
  • ongoing

Objective

Improve Working Practice

Table. Objective: Improve Working Practice
Aim  Actions  Timescale 
2.9 Strive for continuous
improvement in the relative
condition of Dorset’s Rights
of Way network and the
satisfaction of its users and
customers
  • conduct a 5% annual condition survey of the Rights of Way network
  • continue to take part in SWHSIG annual satisfaction survey
  • develop and implement pertinent measures to monitor and inform RoWIPlanning and the  management/development of  Dorset’s PRoW/sites and contribute to national methodology and research
  • ongoing
2.10 Review, develop and
implement best practice
policy/procedures for
all aspects of PRoW/
sites management and
improvement.
  • list and review all policy and procedures and develop new where necessary. Inform/train Officers
  • Consult/Seek advice from DLAF and, where relevant, other bodies eg landmanagers, user groups, disabled people, younger people etc  when developing policy/procedures
 Ongoing
2.11 Continue to strengthen
the relationship with Dorset
Direct to provide the best
possible service to the public
  • continue the development of training programmes for staff
  • ongoing
2.12 Maintain Countryside
project programming
to enable the work
programmes of Rights of
Way officers and countryside
rangers to be strategy led
and delivered on time and
within budget
  • ensure that the work of Rights of Way officers and countryside rangers is monitored and progress regularly reported to the Countryside and Business Development Management Team drawing  attention to any areas of  particular support eg work in  trouble timetable/funding,  training, resource opportunities etc
 ongoing
2.13 Strategically
manage promoted routes
so that they achieve
social, economic and
environmental benefits and
meet local expectations and
needs.
  • Rights of Way and Ranger Service to jointly review all promoted routes and associated material
  • ascertain viability of routes and prioritise routes for  maintenance and promotion
  • identify problem locations eg maintenance, road severance etc and address
  • identify how to establish the relative value of routes (strategic - social, economic and environmental) set against management costs
  • complete and maintain the North Dorset Trailway and investigate extension of the trail as Coast to Coast trailway between Poole and Bristol
  • complete Phase two of the Castleman Trailway 
  • develop the Maiden Newton to Bridport Trailway
  • 2012
  • 2014
  • 2012/13
  • 2015
  • 2013
  • 2013
  • aspirational

2.14

  • implement new coastal access rights to  provide a continuous, future- proofed route, with associated coastal access land, around the whole of the Dorset coastline
  • Established in 2006 the Dorset and East Devon Coastal Corridor Group – including DCC Access improvement and  Countryside Rangers – developed a Coastal Corridor Action Plan
  • continue to implement and feed into the  Coastal Corridor Plan
  • implement coastal access rights (in partnership with Natural England) on the Weymouth Bay stretch
  • implement coastal access rights (in partnership with Natural England) around the rest of the Dorset Coast
  • "to conserve and enhance the environment and heritage of the coastal corridor to enable everyone to engage with,  understand and enjoy its  special qualities” Dorset and East Devon Coastal Corridor Plan
  • support and implement access related actions where resources allow
  • 2012
  • Ongoing – as resources allow
  • ongoing

 

Action plan - Theme 3 Providing a safer and more accessible network

Objective

Improve maintenance so that it meets public needs and enables greater use of PRoW/countryside sites.

The following “aims”T3.1-T3.4 to embrace access for all, local distinctiveness and environmental needs.

Table. Objective: Improve maintenance so that it meets public needs and enables greater use of PRoW/countryside sites.
Aim  Actions  Timescale 
3.1 Develop and implement best
practice for all aspects of Rights
of Way maintenance including
review and update of the Council’s
maintenance and enforcement policy.
  • research “best practice” and consult land managers and user groups embracing all members of the community when developing best practice
  • review and update the Council’s maintenance and enforcement policy
  • ongoing
  • 2011
3.2 Develop a prioritisation scheme
for Rights of Way maintenance that
reflects legal requirements and
availability of resources
  • test and implement prioritisation scheme to better manage the area Rights of Way officers’ workflow
  • 2011/12 RoW, Rangers, DWO and Highways
3.3 Produce guidance and standards
for Rights of Way structures, waymarking
and signposting, also
produce a specification for a range of
surface treatments
  • agree standards and  specifications for  structures including liaison with landowners and user groups
  • produce guidance note on specification of replacement gates  including least restrictive option
  • work with land-managers to replace stiles with least restrictive option where appropriate 
  • develop standards and  specification of surfacing  requirements including  use of recycled materials.
  • liaise with landowners and user groups
  • develop signage that is robust, informative and easy to understand
  • remove misleading and unnecessary  signage
  • develop and implement  monitoring procedures to  assess work done and progress best working practice – eg assess  suitability of maintenance  materials/structures used. Balancing economic, social and environmental benefits
  • 2011
  • 2012
  • ongoing
  • 2011/12
  • RoW, Rangers, DWO and Highways
  • ongoing
  • ongoing
  • 2012/13
3.4 Develop work programmes
for routine maintenance issues eg
inspections, vegetation maintenance
and signage. (Target to achieve 75%
signposted ROW by 2013)
  • develop and implement annual maintenance programmes informed by the prioritisation scheme including vegetation  clearance and signposting
  • increase number of RoW signposted. 75% by 2013
  • 2011/12
  • 2013
3.5 Develop a programme of bridge
inspections and other PRoW structures
which will feed into the database and
enable a rolling programme of bridge
replacements based on their condition
  • establish a costed and  prioritised rolling  programme for the  inspection of bridges and other ROW structures
  • ongoing
3.6: Develop a structures policy that
encourages landowners to choose
the least restrictive option when
replacing Rights of Way furniture or
putting new structures on a diversion
  • research the most appropriate structures for inclusion in  the specifications and keep up-to-date
  • prepare policy and  encourage uptake via a  small grant scheme if  funding is available
  • 2012 ongoing)
  • ongoing
3.7 Develop policy for authorising
structures and keep up-to-date
a detailed register of authorised
structures
  • register of authorised structure is available on Dorset for You
  • 2016
3.8 Make best use of technology that
supports mobile working to increase
productivity.
  • officer training and implement use of Trimbles
 Ongoing

Objective

Develop a seamless and safe NETWORK of PRoW and Countryside Sites

Table. Objective: Develop a seamless and safe NETWORK of PRoW and Countryside Sites
Aim  Actions  Timescale 
3.9 Identify road severance locations
and seek opportunities to make
improvements
  • identify, map, assess and  prioritise road severance  locations – real and perceived
  • work with partners and agree  solutions for each location
  • seek opportunities to make  improvements – re-routing,  traffic calming, signage and safety furniture, refuge areas etc
  • ongoing
3.10 Work with partners to address
road safety and incorporate PRoW
into various initiatives
  • work with Dorset Road Safe  Partnership on initiatives to  raise driver awareness of  pedestrians, equestrians and  cyclists
    • Driver awareness training
    • Cycling proficiency
    • Traffic management and calming Pedestrian/Pegasus crossings
    • Accessibility planning Safe routes to school
    • Rural Roads protocol
    • Annual road user/safety audits
  • develop best practice guidance  for Developers/Highway  Engineers – re integrating PRoW  with buildings, roads and  associated infrastructure
  • include road safety information  on all DCC literature

 
  • ongoing
  • 2012/13
  • ongoing
  • ongoing
3.11 Seek opportunities to develop
networks of paths and public outdoor
space consisting of attractive, safe
off-road routes enabling people
of all ages, needs and abilities to
walk/ride safely in and around their
village/town, out to neighbouring
settlements and into and about the
wider countryside.
  • identify path/site networks in and  around settlements,  between settlements and  connecting settlement clusters  providing opportunities for  recreation, health, tourism, local  economy, environmental benefits  and sustainable transport to access local facilities, wider  countryside and attractions.*
    • *Using all available public paths and public space where appropriate eg Public Rights of Way,
      Cycling routes, parks, Access Land
  • work with partners to ensure that  PRoW link seamlessly with  highway pedestrian and cycling  infrastructure
  • work with local people and seek  opportunities to implement them
  • investigate increased  provision/PRoW links through  UCRs
  • ongoing
  • ongoing
  • ongoing
  • aspirational
3.12 Seek opportunities to increase
cycling networks
  • research and map cycling  provision in Dorset – both on  and off road Detail location,  length, type
  • compile Dorset Cyclists  contacts database covering full  range of cyclist for ease of  consultation when seeking  information/ideas
  • map cycling needs/ideas raised through RoWIP research
  • conduct research to ascertain  the value of cycling in Dorset
  • investigate opportunities to  provide where appropriate  cycle lock up facilities
  • make links with B,P and DLTP3  Cycling strategy for RoWIP implementation

 

 all aspirational
3.13 Seek opportunities to increase
bridleway networks
  • compile an equestrian contacts database for ease of  consultation when seeking information and ideas
  • survey parishes to determine  density of riders and horses. Map and ascertain need for potential route development
  • consult with equestrian centres  to evaluate off-road provision  and map potential routes 
  • map equestrian needs/ideas  raised through RoWIP research
  • work with key groups to  investigate and agree  opportunities for route  creation
  • investigate opportunities to  provide, where appropriate,  equestrian mounting blocks 
  • all  aspirational
3.14 Better integrate PRoW/sites with
public transport and well designed
car parks – facilitating sustainable
transport, tourism and economy and
environmental protection
  • investigate opportunities to  link PRoW/sites with public  transport – eg request stop  service
  • develop information detailing  walking/riding routes within  settlements linked with wider  countryside and links with  public transport
  • work with partners to identify  appropriate locations for car  parks with adequate facilities  for walkers, riders and cyclists  (as necessary) – and – linking  the PRoW network with  existing carparks
  • investigate improved cycle and  wheelchair carrying facilities on public transport
  • all ongoing 

 

Action plan - Theme 4 Involving local people and visitors

Objective

Enable local people to get involved in maintaining and improving their PRoW and countryside sites.

Table. Objective: Enable local people to get involved in maintaining and improving their PRoW and countryside sites
Aim  Actions  Timescale 
4.3 Establish effective working
practice with neighbouring Local
Authorities
  • agree responsibilities for  bridges at county boundaries
  • identify and resolve path status  anomalies at county boundaries
  • agree standards for promoted  routes that cross county  boundaries
  • 2013/14
  • 2013/14
  • 2013/14
4.4 Establish effective working
partnerships to deliver PRoW/site
improvements
  • identify projects/actions and  necessary partners
  • establish partnerships to  implement
  • Both ongoing 
4.5 Continue to work with and
support the DLAF encouraging their
involvement in the RoWIP and with all
aspects of countryside access
  • engage with DLAF on  RoWIP implementation and  ongoing development
  • continue to support the  DLAF
  • Both ongoing

Objective

Provide volunteering opportunities for people of all ages and abilities on all aspects of PRoW/site management and improvement

Table. Objective: Provide volunteering opportunities for people of all ages and abilities on all aspects of PRoW/site management and improvement
Aim  Actions  Timescale 
4.6 Continue supporting and
developing Friends groups
  • continue to support and develop  Friends groups at Durlston County  Park, Avon Heath Country Park, Rights  f Way Liaison Officers and  Adopt-a-Path volunteers
 Ongoing

4.7

  • enhance the existing  work of access and  ranger  volunteer  groups
  • to expand the  Dorset Volunteer Ranger  service into countryside access
  • further develop  volunteer provision  and current groups  including Rights of  Way Liaison Officers and Adopt- a-Path volunteers 
  • continue support to the DVR service  volunteer  coordinator in  building partnerships  with other  organisations for  joint working in the  recruitment support  and training of  volunteers
  • recruit and train ten  Rights of Way  volunteers from the  pool of RoWLOs – March 2010
  • build a skills database for each  volunteer, eg skills,  experience, interests  – to effectively match them to access work
  • ongoing
  • ongoing
  • March 2011
  • ongoing

 
4.8 Offer training opportunities for
volunteers to ensure safe working
practices and consistency of
approach
  • Provide training for volunteers in  aspects of  maintenance and  safe working practices 
  • ongoing 

 

Theme 5: Providing quality information about the network

Objective

Ensure that both User and Landowner understand and carry out their Rights and Responsibilities.

Table. Objective: Ensure that both User and Landowner understand and carry out their Rights and Responsibilities
Aim  Actions  Timescale 
5.1 Produce information for the
public and land-managers explaining
their rights and responsibilities
regards PRoW.
  • review and assess current  guidance, consult with land  organisations/public and consider  new – more effective – methods of  providing information regarding rights and  responsibilities
  • guidance is available to inform the  public about their rights and  responsibilities
  • guidance is available to inform  landowners about their rights and responsibilities
  • review  2013/14
  • 2013/14
  • 2013/14

Objective

Encourage responsible dog ownership and minimise Dog Fouling on all public paths and public green space.

Encourage responsible dog ownership and minimise Dog Fouling on all public paths and public green space.
Aim  Actions  Timescale 
5.2 Provide information and
training to dog owners - work with
local authority dog wardens in
education, provision of facilities and
enforcement
  • work with dog wardens and others to address dog- fouling issues
  • offer responsible dog  ownership training days 
  • develop a Dorset Dogs  website to encourage  responsible dog owner  behaviour
  • all 2009 and  ongoing

Objective

Improved coordination of the production and distribution of good information.

Table. Objective: Improved coordination of the production and distribution of good information
Aim  Actions  Timescale 
5.3 Better coordinate the
development and installation of path/
site information
  • audit and enter onto C-side  (PRoW database) path/site  interpretation/information. Record  “life expectancy” of media. Review  and update as necessary
  • ongoing 
5.4 Review current information
provision and identify how to reach
more people through design, format
and distribution
  • audit/review/update current DCC  information/media/activities 
  • work with tourism and economic  development organisations to  determine effective distribution of  service information 
  • liaise with partners to establish  contacts/outlets to ensure  material is effectively promoted  and distributed e.g. organisations  representing disability groups, carers, young people,  land managers etc
  • consult with relevant organisations at the planning  stage
  • 2011
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2011 and ongoing

Objective

Carry out market research and address gaps in information.

Table. Objective: Carry out market research and address gaps in information
Aim  Actions  Timescale 
5.5 Establish good market research
and monitoring methods service wide
  • develop and implement  methodology for gathering  customer/partner feedback –  complaints/praise/general comments  to identify trends and issues to inform  RoWIP and management planning
  • research current and potential  customer interests and needs to guide  the improvement and management of  paths and sites maximising opportunity and enjoyment for all  compatible with landscape needs
  • audit and review all events and  activities – theme/location/timing -  provided by the service to ensure we  are meeting public need
  • 2012
  • 2012
  • 2012
5.6 Provide activities and information
that meets the needs of local people
and visitors to Dorset – and reflects
the breadth of opportunities Dorset
has to offer
  • produce, promote and distribute  information to address current gaps  for: horse-riders, horse-carriage  drivers, cyclists, vehicular users
  • update/develop as “provision” for  these groups is improved and  developed on the ground 
  • research and meet the needs of  different groups of people eg:
    • families
    • younger and older people
    • ethnic minorities
    • people with  disability
  • explore the benefits of producing  “themed” information pertinent to  Dorset eg:
    • Health
    • local produce and agriculture,
    • earth science
    • cultural,  arts and folklore
    • built and archaeological heritage
    • Natural heritage etc
  • work with partners to develop appropriate ways to introduce  countryside access education into the curriculum of primary and  secondary education
  • review activities provided – content,  timing, location etc
  • ongoing
  • ongoing
  • ongoing
  • aspirational
  • aspirational
  • ongoing

Objective

Utilise technology effectively.

Table. Objective: Utilise technology effectively.
Aim  Actions  Timescale 
5.7 Develop and keep up-to-date
Rights of Way and countryside site
information on the DorsetforYou
website
  • review existing website – establish improvement needs  and develop the PRoW/site information on the  DorsetforYou website to detail the  character/ condition of sites,  promoted routes and PRoW enabling people to plan their countryside activities  appropriate to their needs 
  • detail public transport links with  PRoW and Sites 
  • provide this information in a range of  formats 
  • RoWIP - Enable people to submit  improvement ideas and see how improvements are being implemented
  • ongoing  updates in  conjunction  with Definitive  Map Review. Project  estimated completion earliest
  • 2012/13
  • ongoing
  • 2012/2013

 

Glossary

AONB

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

BAP

Biodiversity Action Plan

BOAT

Byway Open to All Traffic

BVPI

Best Value Performance Indicator

CRoW Act

Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

Cycle Lane

Part of the carriageway dedicated to cyclists

Cycle Route

Continuous route for cyclists. Can be made up from a combination of “ways”, for example,
roads, cycle tracks, cycle lanes, multi-user routes, bridleways etc.

Cycle tracks

A way over which the public have a right of way on pedal cycles with or without a right of
way on foot but not a way in or by the side of a highway consisting of or comprising a made-up carriageway (within the meaning of the 1980 Act) CRoW 2000.

DCC

Dorset County Council

DC

District Council

de facto

Exists, whether by right or not

DEFRA

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

DLAF

Dorset Local Access Forum

DMMO

Definitive Map Modification Order

DMS

Definitive Map and Statement

ES

Environmental Stewardship

ELS

Entry Level Stewardship

FWAG

Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group

GPS

Global Positioning System

HA 1980

Highways Act 1980

HAMP

Highways Asset Management Plan

HLS

Higher Level Stewardship

IMD

Index of Multiple Deprivation

LPA

Local Planning Authority

LDF

Local Development Framework

(LRoW)

Local Rights of Way – Footpaths, Bridleways, Cycle Tracks and Restricted Byways)

LTP

Local Transport Plan

NE

Natural England - The body that replaced the Countryside Agency, Rural Development Service and English Nature

NCN

National Cycle Network

NMPV

Non-Mechanically Propelled Vehicles

PRoW

Public Rights of Way Footpaths (FP), Bridleways (BR), Restricted Byways and Byways Open to All Traffic (BOAT)

RoW

Rights of Way

RoWIP

Rights of Way Improvement Plan

SEA

Strategic Environmental Assessment

s106 agreement

Legal agreement between developer and LPAs

TAMP

Transport Asset Management Plan

TCPA 1990

Town and Country Planning Act 1990

UCR

Unclassified County Road

UUCR

Unsurfaced Unclassified County Road

WCA

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

 

Review

This policy was last reviewed in 2011. 

The policy is due for review. in 2025.