Consultation - Dorset Council - Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2022-2032 DEADLINE October 31st 2021
Dorset Council has launched a consultation to collate views and ideas to help shape the next Dorset Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2022-2032
Link to official press release: Help us improve our path network for walking, cycling and horse-riding - Dorset Council news
Link to Consultation: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/rights-of-way-consultation
BACKGROUND
The Dorset Rights of Way Improvement Plan is the prime means for Dorset council, as the Local Highway Authority, to identify and prioritise actions to develop and improve the network of Dorset’s footpaths, bridleways, byways, and wider access routes.
Over the past 18 months, more Dorset residents than ever have found that getting outdoors and into the fresh air comforting, restorative and revitalising. To do this, many have used Dorset Public Rights of Way, footpaths, bridleways and byways to walk, ride, cycle, horse carriage drive away from the vehicular highway – and responsibly drive - to explore our locality. Some have perhaps discovered paths and places they haven’t visited before, immersing themselves in Dorset’s stunning landscapes, rich heritage and fascinating natural world.
Dorset Council want to hear from the Dorset wide community – all ages and interests – and various organisations (user groups, landmanagers and wider interest groups) so they can develop an improved network of paths that are easy and enjoyable to use for as many people as possible.
Your views are really important – Dorset Council need to know what it is you love about using Dorsets paths and which paths you use - but we also want to know about what isn’t so great and your ideas to address this.
So what are the barriers, what prevents you from using the paths, what routes would you like to use and why, how can we work with you to develop the Dorset PROW network?
The Dorset Rights of Way Improvement Plan consultation – which includes online maps – will help us understand the key issues that need to be addressed, and let people submit location-specific concerns and project ideas to help us improve Dorset’s public rights of way.
The survey will allow respondents to:
- Highlight a “missing link” where a new path would join up the network.
- Identify a strategic route linking communities that could be shared by walkers, equestrians & cyclists
- Explore the possibility of creating a safe off-road route where walkers, equestrians and cyclists currently must use the road
- Pinpoint good locations to improve a path’s surface, replace stiles with gates and generally indicate where small measures can potentially make a big impact
- Suggest areas where better signage would be useful
- Raise concerns and how they might be addressed
- Reveal historic details such as old stiles and river crossings that need protecting
- Let us know how we might work together on ideas and initiatives.
While we may not be able to accommodate all the ideas and projects in the prioritised delivery plans, all feedback will be taken into consideration.
Taking part in this survey is a real opportunity for people to let Dorset Council know what they feel works and what needs to be done to improve the way our residents and visitors can enjoy walking, cycling and horse-riding whilst taking care to protect the very landscapes these paths take them through.”
After collating and reviewing the feedback from the consultation, Dorset Council officers will draft a new Rights of Way Improvement Plan early next year. This plan will be publicly consulted on in the Spring, with the final version published and presented to Cabinet for approval in Summer 2022.
Please fill in the questionnaire and online maps here by midnight 31 October.