11.7 Recreation and the Rights of Way Network

We will increase opportunities for people of all mobilities to enjoy the countryside

The Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP) identifies seven inter-related themes that will focus the activities of the Lancashire Countryside Service;

• The Definitive Map
• Inspection and Improvement
• Education and Information Provision
• Community to Countryside Links
• Bridleway and Off-road Cycling Circuits and Routes
• Reduced Mobility and Visual Impairments
• Higher Rights and Other Provisions.

Its themes contribute to and reinforce the key objectives of the LTP, the Environment Directorate and the County Council;

• Inspection and Improvement
• Education and Information Provision
• Community to Countryside Links
• Bridleway and Off-road Cycling Circuits, and
• Reduced Mobility and Visual Impairments.

The Public Rights of Way Network provides an extensive network of routes for the public largely away from vehicular traffic. This presents a significant opportunity for encouraging vehicle free travel and recreation in Lancashire. The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Lancashire highlights how the Lancashire County Council will work towards providing an accurately recorded, well maintained and largely traffic free network for walkers, horse riders and cyclists in Lancashire. The RoWIP identifies actions that will improve access in Lancashire and priority is given to actions that enhance the network in terms of multi use routes, provide routes that are accessible to lower mobility and partially sighted users.

The Public Rights of Way and wider access network provide opportunities for travel and recreation that are free at the point of use. The RoWIP identifies improvements to the access network and prioritises actions that have extend benefits beyond existing users of the rights of way network to sections of the population the currently do not participate in outdoor recreation. There is significant potential for increasing social inclusion and wider participation in the countryside through improving the network on the urban fringe and linking to communities to communities and communities to countryside. The provision and accessibility of information are further key factors that will add value to the other actions identified by the RoWIP and their outcomes.

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