A PLAN to improve accessibility and safety on public rights of way has been approved.

At a meeting last week, Middlesbrough Borough Council's cabinet agreed to adopt the so-called Milestones approach to managing the public rights of way network.

Under the new system, responsibility for the network will lie with three individuals - a public rights of way officer, a Middlesbrough access project officer and a legal expert.

The adoption of a Milestones statement and the development of an adopt-a-path scheme are designed to offer a more structured maintenance programme.

In a report to the cabinet, Brian Glover, the council's head of transport and design services, said: "Its adoption will help to improve access into the countryside for residents.