NORTH Yorkshire County Council has launched a new policy to improve the rights of way network across the county.

It follows extensive consultation with organisations, including the Ramblers' Association and bridleway groups.

The policy will mean that the landowner, not the council taxpayer, will pay the costs of re-routing public paths.

As a result, it should mean fewer diversions, less confusion for the public and more staff time freed up for other important projects.

Coun John Fort, the county council's executive member for environmental services, said: "The new policy has been developed in consultation with North Yorkshire's rights of way liaison group and their comments are reflected in the finished document.

"This is just one of a number of council policies produced in relation to public rights of way.

"Council staff will attempt to negotiate alternative routes and help applicants to ensure that any applications meet the relevant criteria and are in the public interest."

In cases where there is no significant public benefit to a diversion order, the council will make the order providing the application meets the relevant legislation.

However, if objections are received and not withdrawn, the council will not support the application at any subsequent public inquiry, leaving the applicant to defend it.

Jacquetta Fewster, of the Ramblers' Association, said: "This new policy should be of enormous benefit to everyone using the many hundreds of miles of paths in North Yorkshire. It should mean fewer diversions and less confusion generally for the public.

"Where paths are moved, the new route must meet the criteria of being an improvement for the public. Diversions will not be permitted if the path has been obstructed in the previous year."