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Assessment of existing Public Rights of Way network
Introduction
As part of the Access Audit an assessment of the existing public rights of way network has been made based on the definitive map.
This assessment has concentrated on,
The overall assessment has also taken into account the condition of the path network (including any recent survey information), the authority's Milestones Statement and progress towards the National Target for Rights of Way.
Parish of Balderstone, Ribble Valley
Total length of PROW
Total length of Public footpath
Total length of public bridleway
Total Length of BOAT
Total no. PROW
Total no. public footpath
Total no. public bridleway
Total no. BOAT/RUPP
Percentage of total length of PROW in Ribble Valley
Percentage of total length of PROW in County
18.70km
18.70km
0
0
68
68
0
0
1%
0.31%
There are no recorded public bridleways or byways open to all traffic in the parish of Balderstone although there is a good network of public footpaths. The Bridleway Strategy for Lancashire recorded 10 horses and 8 riders in the parish, whilst in the adjoining parish of Osbaldeston 78 horses and 73 riders have been recorded. Inquiries have been made to the Council about the lack of bridleways in the area.
The County Council carried out a Parish Improvement Scheme in 1999. The public rights of way network was surveyed and any obstructed paths opened up. Stiles, gates and footbridges were improved and signposting and waymarking completed. Consequently, there are no outstanding complaints about the rights of way network in the parish.
There are no obvious inconsistencies or anomalies in relation to individual rights of way that need to be rectified and no outstanding section 53 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 claims to be researched.
The Definitive Map for Balderstone has been digitised but has not yet been made available to the public or to the District or Parish Council. The District and Parish Council have been supplied with paper copies of the Definitive Map.
The public are recommended to purchase the relevant Ordnance Survey Explorer or Pathfinder Series Map at a scale of 1:25000.
Parish of Bowland Forest High, Ribble Valley
Total length of PROW
Total length of Public footpath
Total length of public bridleway
Total Length of BOAT
Total no. PROW
Total no. public footpath
Total no. public bridleway
Total no. BOAT/RUPP
Percentage of total length of PROW in Ribble Valley
Percentage of total length of PROW in County
41.48km
25.25km
16.23km
0
19
13
6
0
3%
0.69%
The Council has outstanding inquiries about 4 paths (2 missing signposts, stepping stones in need of repair, and one obstructed path). No Parish Improvement Scheme has been carried out.
The parish has one of the most extensive bridleway networks in the county but much of it is inaccessible to horse riders due to the steepness of the terrain, sections of boggy moorland, and rough scree. Walkers and mountain bikers predominantly use the routes.
The Lancashire Bridleway Strategy provides details of horse ownership in Bowland Forest (which includes Bowland Forest High and Bowland Forest Low) as 7 horses and riders. Whilst this figure is quite low there is evidence that riders transport their horses to the area and park in Dunsop Bridge to make use of the local bridleway network.
Public bridleway no. 8 appears to be well used by horse riders but because of the unsuitability of many of the bridleways linking to bridleway no. 8 riders ride up bridleway no. 8 and then return the same way.
A major improvement scheme has been carried out on public bridleway number 15 that starts in the centre of Dunsop Bridge and extends in a northerly direction for approximately 850 metres to the river crossing at Holme Head. The route was surfaced with stone up to Holme Head where a footbridge, wide enough for disabled access, was erected together with a ford crossing for horses. From this point it is possible for people with impaired access to join public bridleway no. 8 (with a tarmac surface) and return to Dunsop Bridge making a circular route of approximately 2 kilometres. The availability and suitability of this route is not well publicised.
There are no obvious inconsistencies or anomalies in relation to individual rights of way that need to be rectified and no outstanding section 53 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 claims to be researched.
The Definitive Map for Bowland Forest High has been digitised but has not yet been made available to the public or to the District or Parish Council. The District and Parish Council have been supplied with paper copies of the Definitive Map. The public are recommended to purchase the relevant Ordnance Survey Explorer or Pathfinder Series Map at a scale of 1:25000.
Clitheroe, Ribble Valley District
Total length of PROW
Total length of Public footpath
Total length of public bridleway
Total Length of BOAT
Total no. PROW
Total no. public footpath
Total no. public bridleway
Total no. BOAT/RUPP
Percentage of total length of PROW in Ribble Valley
Percentage of total length of PROW in County
21.01km
21.01km
0
0
30
30
0
0
2%
0.35%
There is a well-developed network of public footpaths that are well used by the local community and also by visitors to the area. There are no recorded public bridleways or byways open to all traffic in the parish although the Bridleway Strategy for Lancashire recorded 35 horses and 18 riders in the parish.
A Parish Improvement Scheme has not been carried out in the parish although a steady programme of surfacing and improvement work has been carried out over the past 10 years. The Council are not in receipt of any outstanding complaints about the condition of any of the public footpaths in Clitheroe.
However, the Council are aware that Public footpath no. 21 (which forms part of the Ribble Way) requires work to its surface and that people are using a parallel, non-definitive route.
There are no obvious inconsistencies or anomalies in relation to individual rights of way that need to be rectified and no outstanding section 53 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 claims to be researched.
The Definitive Map for Clitheroe has been digitised but has not yet been made available to the public or to the District or Parish Council. The District and Parish Council have been supplied with paper copies of the Definitive Map.
The public are recommended to purchase the relevant Ordnance Survey Explorer or Pathfinder Series Map at a scale of 1:25000.
Nelson, District of Pendle
Total length of PROW
Total length of Public footpath
Total length of public bridleway
Total Length of BOAT
Total no. PROW
Total no. public footpath
Total no. public bridleway
Total no. BOAT/RUPP
Percentage of total length of PROW in Pendle
Percentage of total length of PROW in County
50.23km
49.85km
0.06km
0.32km
212
209
1*
2
8%
0.35%
Pendle Borough Council are responsible for the maintenance of the rights of way network under an Agency Agreement with the County Council.
There is a comprehensive network of footpaths throughout the rural area. In the urban area there is a small number of public footpaths. The network for those on foot is generally adequate and well used by the local community. The canal towpath is well used by walkers although it is not recorded as a public right of way.
The Borough Council is in receipt of 11 outstanding complaints about obstructions and maintenance requirements within the parish.
* There was originally only one public bridleway in the parish but public footpaths 10, 11 and 14 have been upgraded to bridleway by means of a Definitive Map Modification Order. In addition, there are two byways within Nelson.
There are two applications under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, one of which is for the addition of a short section of public footpath, and the other an application to upgrade public footpath number 16 to a byway open to all traffic.
There are no promoted routes for disabled people although the paths, both definitive and non definitive, around Walverden Reservoir are flat, close to the urban area and attractive. The Borough Council has indicated that there is good potential for this path to be improved to meet the needs of those who are disabled.
The Definitive Map for the District of Pendle has not been digitised although the paths in Nelson have now been digitised as part of the Audit exercise. The District and Parish Council have been supplied with paper copies of the Definitive Map and the public are recommended to purchase the relevant Ordnance Survey Explorer or Pathfinder Series Map at a scale of 1:25000.
Parish of Trawden Forest, District of Pendle
Total length of PROW
Total length of Public footpath
Total length of public bridleway
Total Length of BOAT
Total no. PROW
Total no. public footpath
Total no. public bridleway
Total no. BOAT/RUPP
Percentage of total length of PROW in Pendle
Percentage of total length of PROW in County
67.12km
61.61km
4.54km
0.97km
257
253
3
1
11%
1.12%
Pendle Borough Council maintains the public rights of way network under an Agency agreement with the County Council.
There already exists an extensive interconnected network of public footpaths with excellent links to the countryside from the villages of Wycoller and Trawden. The network of public footpaths is approximately 62 kilometres in length consisting of 253 numbered footpaths. There are many paths that form short but important links in built up areas in addition to the rights of way across grass land. There is an extensive area of moorland in the parish but no rights of way extend into this area. The open access provisions in Part 1 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 are likely to open up a significant amount of the moorland to walkers.
The public footpath network is generally very well used and free from obstruction. The Borough Council have four outstanding complaints concerning poor surfacing and stiles that are out of repair.
There are only 4.54 km of recorded public bridleway within the parish. The route runs along the northern edge of Boulsworth Hill and will form part of the Pennine Bridleway. In addition, there are no cycleways within the parish. The Bridleway Strategy for Lancashire recorded 74 horses and 57 riders in the parish.
There are two outstanding applications to modify the Definitive Map and Statement. The first is to upgrade existing public footpath nos. 229, 234, 235, 246, 245, 244 and 243 to public bridleway and the second, to add a public bridleway to the definitive map between Mean Moss Farm and Beaver Gate.
In addition public footpaths 61, 62, 63 and 65 have been identified as a possible route to be upgraded to bridleway by means of a Highways Act order to form a circular route off the Pennine Bridleway.
The Borough Council has identified two sections of old tram tracks that are well used by walkers, riders and cyclists and that are not currently recorded as public rights of way and also a footpath created by agreement with the landowner in the 1980's which is very well used by the public.
The Countryside Officer at Wycoller Country Park has replaced a number of stiles with kissing gates to provide a greater level of accessibility. In addition, the Borough Council have suggested upgrading the concessionary route of the Ferndean Way to allow disabled access.
The Definitive Map for Pendle has not been digitised although the network in Trawden Forest has now been digitised as part of the Access Audit. The District and Parish Council have been supplied with paper copies of the Definitive Map and the public are recommended to purchase the relevant Ordnance Survey Explorer or Pathfinder Series Map at a scale of 1:25000.
Parish of Silverdale, District of Lancaster
Total length of PROW
Total length of Public footpath
Total length of public bridleway
Total Length of BOAT
Total no. PROW
Total no. public footpath
Total no. public bridleway
Total no. BOAT/RUPP
Percentage of total length of PROW in Lancaster
Percentage of total length of PROW in County
21.40km
14.79km
5.05km
1.56km
62
45
16
1
3%
0.36%
The parish lies within the Arnside/Silverdale AONB and the Countryside Officer employed jointly by Lancashire County Council, Cumbria County Council and Lancaster District Council carries out the day to day to day to day management of the public rights of way network.
On the whole the rights of way network is in very good condition. The Countryside Service has been operating in the area for the past 14 years providing a high level of attention in a small defined area. Practically all paths are signposted - most with wooden routed signs displaying the route destination. Paths are also waymarked where required.
An annual maintenance programme is in place to clear overgrowth where required and little other maintenance work is needed (some small scale surface and drainage works). The County Council are in receipt of only 1 outstanding complaint of an obstructed path in the parish.
Access to the public rights of way network for members of the public with mobility problems is limited by the terrain (woodland, limestone pavement, hilly) and by the traditional stone squeeze stiles. There are no promoted 'easy access' routes utilising the public rights of way network although there are some small schemes that have been developed on land in Countryside Stewardship.
Thirty two horses (and forty two riders) were recorded in the parish by the Bridleway Strategy for Lancashire and although there are over 6 kilometres of public bridleways and byways the network does not provide good, continuous off road routes. Public bridleway no. 18 Silverdale crosses the salt marsh and is passable (subject to tidal conditions) with difficulty because the old route is eroded. Public bridleways nos. 30 and 32 are both dead ends as the bridleways historically gave access onto the mosses to collect peat.
Opinion appears divided about horse riding on the local roads - some believe that it is safe and pleasant and that vehicles are driven slowly with an awareness of other users whilst others are not happy riding on the roads and want additional off road access to be provided.
Consultants have recently carried out an Access Audit of the Arnside/Silverdale AONB and consulted local users about what access improvements they would like to see. A suggestion has been made that Public footpaths 13, 14 and 15 could be upgraded to public bridleways and landowners are to be contacted. However, public footpath no. 14 passes a number of properties known as Browns Houses and the correct alignment of the public footpath is disputed.
The area receives little use by mountain bikers and does not have a problem with off road motorbikes or 4 wheel drive vehicles.
There is one outstanding application ('claim') for an order to be made under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 concerning the upgrading of public footpath number 13 to bridleway.
The Definitive Map for Silverdale has been digitised but has not yet been made available to the public or to the District or Parish Council. The District and Parish Council have been supplied with paper copies of the Definitive Map.
The public are recommended to purchase the relevant Ordnance Survey Explorer or Pathfinder Series Map at a scale of 1:25000.
Preesall, District of Wyre
Total length of PROW
Total length of Public footpath
Total length of public bridleway
Total Length of BOAT
Total no. PROW
Total no. public footpath
Total no. public bridleway
Total no. BOAT/RUPP
Percentage of total length of PROW in Wyre
Percentage of total length of PROW in County
33km
32.48km
0.52km
0
57
56
1
0
8%
0.55%
Preesall has a good network of public footpaths but only one public bridleway
and no byways. The footpaths along the sea defence wall from Knott End to the
parish boundary at Fluke Hall are very well used by local people and visitors
to the area. Difficulties have arisen with cyclists, horseriders and motorbikes
using these particular routes. In addition, requests have been made to replace
a number of flights of steps that provide access onto the sea defence wall with
ramps and to remove cycle barriers so that access for wheelchairs can be provided.
The County Council are in receipt of complaints concerning three obstructed paths, 1 missing signpost, 1 path that is considered to be 'out of repair'.
The Bridleway Strategy for Lancashire recorded 241 horses and 201 riders in Preesall suggesting a high demand for additional public bridleways.
There is one outstanding application ('claim') for a public footpath to be added to the Definitive Map and Statement in a residential part of Preesall but apart from that there are no obvious inconsistencies or anomalies in relation to individual rights of way that need to be rectified.
The Definitive Map for Preesall has been digitised but has not yet been made available to the public or to the District or Parish Council. The District and Parish Council have been supplied with paper copies of the Definitive Map.
The public are recommended to purchase the relevant Ordnance Survey Explorer or Pathfinder Series Map at a scale of 1:25000.
Parish of Bamber Bridge/Walton le Dale, South Ribble District
Total length of PROW
Total length of Public footpath
Total length of public bridleway
Total Length of BOAT
Total no. PROW
Total no. public footpath
Total no. public bridleway
Total no. BOAT/RUPP
Percentage of total length of PROW in South Ribble
Percentage of total length of PROW in County
39.33km
38.24km
1.09km
0
127
125
2
0
18%
0.6%
There are approximately 40 kilometres of public rights of way within the parish and of this 38 kilometres are recorded as public footpaths. The Parish is deficient in rights of way for other types of user with only 2 kilometres of public bridleway and no public byways open to all traffic (BOAT's).
There are no obvious inconsistencies or anomalies in relation to individual rights of way that need to be rectified and no outstanding section 53 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 claims.
Very few complaints are received about the public rights of way in Bamber Bridge/Walton le Dale and as a result the Public Rights of Way team do not have an intimate knowledge of the network.
However, the focus points appear to be routes feeding into Preston Junction Nature Reserve on the west side of the parish and Cuerden Valley Park along the southern boundary.
Without a full survey it is not known what opportunities exist to improve the path network and it is not possible to identify the extent of rights of way that are potentially available to those who are disabled or have restricted mobility. A number of public footpaths leading into Preston Junction are known to be tarmaced as is the public bridleway running along the southern boundary of Avenham Park.
The nature of many of the rights of way has been altered from essentially rural to urban paths as development spread throughout the area however the condition and accessibility of many of these paths is not known.
The River Darwen passes through the parish from east to west and is joined from the southeast by Drum Head Brook. There are sections of public footpath following both the river and the brook and there may be the potential for developing attractive waterside walks.
The Definitive Map for Walton le Dale and Bamber Bridge has been digitised but has not yet been made available to the public or to the District or Parish Council. The District and Parish Council have been supplied with paper copies of the Definitive Map.
The public are recommended to purchase the relevant Ordnance Survey Explorer or Pathfinder Series Map at a scale of 1:25000.
Parish of Anglezarke, District of Chorley
Total length of PROW
Total length of Public footpath
Total length of public bridleway
Total Length of BOAT
Total no. PROW
Total no. public footpath
Total no. public bridleway
Total no. BOAT/RUPP
Percentage of total length of PROW in Chorley
Percentage of total length of PROW in County
12.71km
12.71km
0
0
19
19
0
0
2%
0.21%
There is a total length of approximately 13.5 kilometres of public rights of way in the parish of Anglezarke; 12.5 kilometres are designated public footpaths over which the public have a right of access on foot and one route (1 kilometre long) is designated as public bridleway over which the public have a right of access on foot, horseback and bicycle.
The rights of way network is primarily along the low-lying western and southern boundaries of the parish and there are no recorded public rights of way across Anglezarke Moor that covers a high percentage of the parish.
There are no obvious inconsistencies or anomalies in relation to individual rights of way that need to be rectified and no outstanding section 53 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 claims to be researched.
The rights of way network is very well used and well signposted and waymarked.
From the car park at Anglezarke and Lester Mill quarries (GR SD 622 162) a number of public footpaths have been tarmaced to form part of a woodland trail. The routes are suitable for the less abled and sections are also suitable for wheelchair access.
The Definitive Map for Anglezarke has been digitised but has not yet been made available to the public or to the District or Parish Council. The District and Parish Council have been supplied with paper copies of the Definitive Map.
The public are recommended to purchase the Ordnance Survey West Pennine Moors Explorer Series Map at a scale of 1:25000.
Parish of Pleasington, Blackburn and Darwen Borough Council
Total length of PROW
Total length of Public footpath
Total length of public bridleway
Total Length of BOAT
Total no. PROW
Total no. public footpath
Total no. public bridleway
Total no. BOAT/RUPP
Percentage of total length of PROW in Blackburn
Percentage of total length of PROW in County
14.93km
14.37km
0.53km
0
20
19
1
0
3%
Not Applicable
Blackburn and Darwin District Council are responsible for the public rights of way network in Pleasington.
There are twenty paths within the parish, only one of which is recorded as a public bridleway which forms part of the proposed National Cycle Network and is due to be resurfaced in the near future.
Contractors employed by the District Council in 2000 carried out a comprehensive survey of the rights of way network. The survey detailed all maintenance (overgrowth, footbridges, steps, stiles, surfacing and signposting) that was required in the Parish. All work was completed and there is only one path that remains obstructed.
There are no outstanding claims under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to modify the Definitive Map for Pleasington.
There is one recorded public bridleway in the Parish although 17 horses and 18 riders are recorded in the British Horse Society Bridleway Strategy for Lancashire.
There are no promoted disabled access schemes within the parish although the District Council have pointed out that no such schemes have been requested.
The Definitive Map for Pleasington has been digitised by Lancashire County Council but has not been made available to the public or Parish Council. The public are recommended to purchase the Ordnance Survey West Pennine Moors Explorer Series Map at a scale of 1:25000.
Parish of Eccleston, Chorley District
Total length of PROW
Total length of Public footpath
Total length of public bridleway
Total Length of BOAT
Total no. PROW
Total no. public footpath
Total no. public bridleway
Total no. BOAT/RUPP
Percentage of total length of PROW in Blackburn
Percentage of total length of PROW in County
13.82km
12.66km
1.16km
0
17
16
1
0
3%
0.23%
This small, well-populated parish has a good network of public footpaths that have all been walked and a programme of improvements, signposting and waymarking implemented.
The Bridleway Strategy for Lancashire records 47 horses and 44 riders in the parish but there is only one public bridleway.
There is one outstanding application under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for a footpath to be added to the definitive map and statement but no other obvious inconsistencies or anomalies.
The Definitive Map for Eccleston has been digitised but has not yet been made available to the public or to the District or Parish Council. The District and Parish Council have been supplied with paper copies of the Definitive Map.
The public are recommended to purchase the relevant Ordnance Survey Pathfinder or Explorer Series Maps at a scale of 1:25000.
Parish of Whitworth, District of Rossendale
Parish of Eccleston, Chorley District
Total length of PROW
Total length of Public footpath
Total length of public bridleway
Total Length of BOAT
Total no. PROW
Total no. public footpath
Total no. public bridleway
Total no. BOAT/RUPP
Percentage of total length of PROW in Rossendale
Percentage of total length of PROW in County
63.71km
59.45km
4.26km
0
131
124
7
0
10%
1.07%
Rossendale Borough Council maintains the public rights of way network in Whitworth under an agency agreement with the County Council.
The Borough Council have commented that the public path network, combined with extensive areas of common and reclaimed land serves the pedestrian very well. While definitive public bridleways are relatively limited, these combined with commons, and some de facto riding routes allow for a reasonable level of horse riding and cycling. There is almost no byway provision within Whitworth, though connections of a de facto nature exist with byway routes in Rochdale. For carriage drivers, motorcyclists and four wheel drive vehicles there are no legal routes. Some quarries are used legally, and some unauthorised use of moorland areas by motorcyclists and four-wheel drivers takes place. Also de facto use of hard-tracks without proper legal status also occurs.
The general condition of the rights of way in the Whitworth area is reasonable. Some routes such as the Rossendale Way have become very worn in places and are in need of physical repair and up-grading. In general the network is passable though some problems do exist, particularly relating to quarrying. In the most recent complete survey (early 1995) 14% of the network was described as poor and no large scale maintenance schemes have been carried out in the last two years.
The Pennine Bridleway will pass through Whitworth although the exact route is yet to be defined. Public bridleway creation agreements (or orders) will be made for the route thus increasing the overall network of bridleways. The Bridleway Strategy for Lancashire records 215 horses and 134 riders in Whitworth so the increased number of bridleways and links into the Pennine bridleway will provide a very useful recreational facility.
There is one outstanding application ('claim') to amend the Definitive Map and Statement by upgrading a public footpath to bridleway. Two other inconsistencies have been identified, one at grid reference 8630 1835 where a footpath in Rossendale becomes a bridleway in Rochdale and GR 8771 1685 where a bridleway in Rossendale becomes a byway in Rochdale.
No existing disabled access schemes have been identified and other than the disused railway line up the valley, the general topography of the area does not lend itself to extensive disabled access.
The Definitive Map for Rossendale has not been digitised although the network of paths in Whitworth has been digitised as part of the Access Audit. The District and Parish Council have been supplied with paper copies of the Definitive Map.
The public are recommended to purchase the relevant Ordnance Survey Explorer or Pathfinder Series Map at a scale of 1:25000.
Parish of Woodplumpton, District of Preston
Total length of PROW
Total length of Public footpath
Total length of public bridleway
Total Length of BOAT
Total no. PROW
Total no. public footpath
Total no. public bridleway
Total no. BOAT/RUPP
Percentage of total length of PROW in Preston
Percentage of total length of PROW in County
40.79km
39.07km
1.72km
0
106
102
4
0
14%
0.68%
There is an extensive rural network of public rights of way in Woodplumpton. An intensive programme of signposting was carried out in the parish 8 years ago but since that date only limited work has been carried out.
The majority of paths cross pasture land and whilst a number of small schemes have been carried out to replace stiles and footbridges no parish survey and work programme have been implemented.
The Bridleways Strategy for Lancashire records 195 horses and 330 riders in the parish but there are only four public bridleways. Although four bridleways are recorded on the Definitive Map and Statement, in practice they make up just one bridleway (Sandyforth Lane) on the eastern side of the parish. The bridleway is promoted as a cycleway providing a well used link from Tanterton to Broughton.
There are no obvious inconsistencies or anomalies in relation to individual rights of way that need to be rectified and no outstanding section 53 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 claims to be researched.
No schemes to provide access to the disabled have been identified or implemented The Definitive Map for Woodplumton has been digitised but has not yet been made available to the public or to the District or Parish Council. The District and Parish Council have been supplied with paper copies of the Definitive Map.
The public are recommended to purchase the relevant Ordnance Survey Explorer or Pathfinder Series Map at a scale of 1:25000.
Parish of Halsall, West Lancashire District
Total length of PROW
Total length of Public footpath
Total length of public bridleway
Total Length of BOAT
Total no. PROW
Total no. public footpath
Total no. public bridleway
Total no. BOAT/RUPP
Percentage of total length of PROW in West Lancashire
Percentage of total length of PROW in County
13.55km
11.48km
2.07km
0
21
17
4
0
3%
0.23%
The public rights of way network in Halsall is predominantly arable in nature. The majority of paths are signposted with a limited amount of waymarking around farm buildings. There are a higher percentage of complaints relating to paths in this area. The complaints primarily relate to the ploughing and cropping of paths and overgrowth on field edge paths. No parish improvement scheme has been carried out.
The Bridleway Strategy for Lancashire records a total of 124 horses and 385 riders in the parish. There are now four public bridleways recorded in the Parish as a result of two successful applications under section 53 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. There is also one outstanding application to amend the Definitive Map and Statement by upgrading public footpath no. 17 to byway open to all traffic but there are no other obvious anomalies or inconsistencies known to the County Council.
No disabled access schemes have been identified or implemented in the parish.
The Definitive Map for West Lancashire has not been digitised although the public rights of way in Halsall have been digitised as part of the Access Audit. The District and Parish Council have been supplied with paper copies of the Definitive Map and the public are recommended to purchase the relevant Ordnance Survey Explorer or Pathfinder Series Map at a scale of 1:25000.
Appraisal of Access Audit process - Public Rights of Way
An assessment of the public rights of way network in each of the parishes was carried out as a desktop exercise and provided information on the quantity and spatial distribution of routes recorded as public rights of way on the Definitive Map and Statement. No additional 'on site' surveys where carried out although information was taken from previous surveys (if available).
The Network Supervisor, and Network Officer with direct responsibility for each parish, where asked for their views on the condition of the network. In addition, the computer database detailing complaints received in each parish was examined and discussed.
Letters (Appendix 1) were sent out to the appropriate District Councils and meetings were held with Ian Henderson (Arnside/Silverdale AONB Officer) and Joanne Croasdale (Blackburn and Darwen District Council). A full list of consultees can be found in Appendix 2.
Details of all Definitive Map Modification Orders were sought from the Councils Legal Services and through a search of the Countryside Service records.
The Definitive Statements were studied to record the total number of public rights of way in each parish together with a breakdown of the different categories of routes.
In addition, because the Council are very aware of the lack of bridleways in Lancashire, the Bridleway Strategy for Lancashire (1997), was studied to get an indication of the number of equestrian users in each parish compared to the number of bridleways available.
Assessment of time taken to carry out Audit of Public Rights of Way in 12 Parishes
Meeting with Network Supervisor and Network Officer - 6 hours
Writing and sending out letters to District Councils - 2 hours
Checking with Legal Services and own records for Definitive Map Modification Orders - 4 hours
Calculating total number of public rights of way in each parish - 3 hours
Attending meetings in Arnside and Blackburn - 7 hours
Assessing information and writing report - 16 hours
Total - 36 hours
Appendix 1 - Public Rights of Way
Letter sent to District Council Public Rights of Way Officers:
To: Mr T Partridge Public Rights of Way Officer Pendle Borough Council Highways and Transportation Services Booth Street Nelson Pendle Lancashire BB9 7PX
Dear Mr Partridge,
Demonstration Access Project in Lancashire
As a direct consequence of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 the Countryside Agency are funding Lancashire County Council to take part in an Integrated Demonstration Access Project.
As part of the project the County Council are carrying out a detailed study of existing countryside access in Lancashire. The results of this 'Access Audit' will be important in the production of a Rights of Way Improvement Plan for the County.
Because of the timescale involved it will not be possible to carry out an Audit of the whole county. Consequently parishes have been classified by land type and 12 selected to be studied in detail. Two of theses parishes, Nelson and Trawden, are within Pendle Borough.
As part of the study, Miss Jayne Sharrock, is looking at the existing network of public rights of way and has already spoken to other members of the Counties Public Rights of Way team to build up a picture of the condition of the existing network.
I am aware of your interest in the two parishes and am therefore writing to you to ask whether you can provide any information on the following:
1. The extent to which a choice of routes and networks is potentially available to walkers, horse riders, cyclists, carriage drivers, motorcyclists and other vehicular traffic.
2. Those areas which are deficient in rights of way for all or particular groups.
3. Any obvious inconsistencies or anomalies in relation to individual rights that need to be rectified.
4. Any other opportunities which may exist to improve the public rights of way network and that are immediately apparent.
5. A preliminary assessment of the extent to which rights of way are potentially available to those who are disabled or have restricted mobility.
6. The condition of the public rights of way network including any recent survey information.
7. Details of any large-scale maintenance and improvement schemes carried out in the past two years.
8. Details of any known obstructions.
I have included a copy of the relevant definitive map sheets with this letter and would be grateful for any information that you can provide. Alternatively, if you would like to discuss the matter further, or to arrange for Miss Sharrock to come to see you, please contact her Tel. 01772 533442.
I would be grateful for your comments by Friday 2nd March 2001.
Yours sincerely
For the Environment Director
Appendix 2 - List of consultees for public rights of way issues
John Mckenzie, LCC Network Supervisor, Nick Bamber, LCC Network Officer
In addition Steve Southworth from the Legal Section of LCC Resources Directorate has been consulted about Definitive Map Modification Orders in all twelve parishes.
INTEGRATED ACCESS DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMME ACCESS AUDIT IN LANCASHIRE ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY NETWORK DRAFT MAY 2001
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