Footpath trust steps in to improve rights of way

The Yorkshire Footpath Trust is a group that enjoys walking and working on the miles of rights of way that criss-cross North Yorkshire.

It consults with county council staff on areas to be surveyed to identify rights of way as well as highlighting remedial works needed and the materials required.

Local landowners, tenants and parish councils are contacted to explain the problems the surveys have identified and how the trust proposes to rectify them.

Materials such as gates and stile kits are supplied by the county council. Local landowners often store these for the volunteers and frequently take them to the site for the trust.

Over the years the trust has done a considerable amount of work to maintain and improve the rights of way network within North Yorkshire.

The county council's executive member for public rights-of-way, Councillor John Fort, said: "This is a good example of how we can work with the volunteers and it proves that co-operation is more effective than confrontation.

"In addition to carrying out maintenance and improvement works, the surveys undertaken by the trust will be invaluable in the preparation of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan, which has to be completed by 2007."

The improvement plan is a statutory requirement of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

It will look at future improvements to the management, maintenance, definition and publicity of the public rights of way network for the better provision of users and potential users, including people with disabilities.