A NEW survey by the Countryside Agency has revealed the poor state of footpaths in North Yorkshire.

It shows that almost 3,300 stiles are in need of attention and a further 921 are virtually unusable.

In addition almost 3,000 footpath gates are classified as unusable while a further 4,650 are in need of attention.

On top of that 192 of the bridges on footpaths are unusable with almost 450 in need of attention.

The Labour group on North Yorkshire County Council has described the conditions facing ramblers and walkers as intolerable.

Its environment spokesman Eric Broadbent said: "These figures demonstrate years of under-funding by the Conservatives and it's high time they realised how important footpaths and the countryside are to people living in North Yorkshire."

The statistics, published in the Countryside Agency's 'Rights of Way Conditions Survey 2000' reveal there are 6,859 hazards blocking the 7,000 km of rights of way in the county.

The report also says it will cost £3,666 per kilometre to get a path that is 'not easy to use' into the condition required by law.

Coun Broadbent said: "More investment is needed to bring about improvements in the conditions of rights of way in this county. More staff are needed and the council needs a clear commitment to the countryside."

A spokesman for the Ramblers' Association said: "The council has a long way to go but it is going in the right direction. However, if they could find some more money to employ a few more staff in the area that would help enormously.

"They have nine staff to deal with footpath problems. Other authorities with far fewer miles of rights of way have more."

A spokesman for the county council said: "We appreciate there are problems but we are making progress and working with the Ramblers' Association. But everything takes time and we are doing our best."