New countryside access strategy to be discussed

Press release - 9 July 2007

New countryside access strategy to be discussed

Plans to make Shropshire’s countryside more open and accessible to residents and visitors will be discussed by Shropshire County Council’s Cabinet tomorrow (Tuesday 10 July).

The council’s draft Countryside Access Strategy looks at the existing countryside access network in the county, and outlines the improvements the council plans to make to modernise the network and to make the countryside a more welcoming and accessible place for everyone.

Cabinet members will be asked to comment on the strategy, before the start of a three-month public consultation which will give residents a chance to have their say. The final 10-year strategy is due to be published by the end of this year.

George Candler, Assistant Director – Learning and Culture with Shropshire County Council, said: “In Shropshire there are more than 5,500km of public rights of way, and people can also visit 10,000 acres of ‘open access’ land, 16 countryside heritage sites managed by the county council and 34 nature reserves managed by Shropshire Wildlife Trust. Many other landowners also allow public access to their land.

“The implementation of this plan will aim to make these and many other areas more accessible and to provide people with the best possible opportunity to enjoy Shropshire’s distinctive and renowned landscape.”

Barbara Craig, Shropshire County Council’s Cabinet member for community services, said: “Shropshire County Council takes the lead in providing the best countryside access for everyone and this is achieved through promotion, positive action and partnership with local communities, access organisations and providers. I welcome these plans which aim to ensure that the county’s countryside can be accessed and enjoyed by both residents and visitors for years to come.”

The county council will be seeking funding for the strategy from a range of external agencies .

Under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, by November 2007 all councils must publish a 10-year plan for the improvement of public rights of way.

The draft Shropshire strategy has been prepared following extensive consultation by the county council over a two-year period, which included 2,500 questionnaires being completed by Shropshire residents (see note).

ENDS

Additional information

The main findings from the questionnaires were:

- The vast majority of people today use rights of way for pleasure rather than for local journeys.
- People visit the countryside usually with family and friends: to exercise, relax, for a sense of well-being, to improve their health or walk the dog. (see Figure 3.2a in the strategy)
- The most popular places were hills, woodland and waterside.
- Walking was by far the most popular activity, then cycling and horse riding. People also like to just sit and admire the view, look at wildlife or picnic. (see Figure 4.2b in the strategy)
- People want improvements to rights of way such as better signage and a reduction of physical barriers. (see Figure 4.2c in the strategy)
- They also want more information on what’s available and where to go.
- All respondents preferred circular local routes.
- Nearly two thirds (62 per cent) of people visit the countryside by car.
- Over half of respondents were female (53 per cent), and nearly two thirds of respondents were over 55 (57 per cent).
- Over 90 per cent of respondents used the rights of way network.

For further information, call George Candler, Assistant Director – Learning and Culture, Community Services, on (01743) 255003.
Barbara Craig, Cabinet member for community services, on (01939) 260232.
For media contact, call Gareth Proffitt, Communications Officer, on (01743) 252828.