Our Rights of Way Improvement Plan, RoWIP  3.4mb for the City of Derby was approved by Council Cabinet on 27 November 2007.

It gives us the opportunity to see whether the city's path network is meeting the needs of its users, identify where we can improve it and promote greater use. The Derby and Derbyshire Local Access Forum is the statutory adviser on the implementation of this plan.

Background

The Council has a duty to produce a Rights of Way Improvement Plan, also known as a RoWIP, under Section 60 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

The RoWIP gave us the opportunity to stand back and look at how we would like to improve the city’s path network and ensure that it meets the current and future needs of its users.

The legislation requires that the Plan considers:

• the extent to which local rights of way meet the present and likely future needs of the public
• the opportunities provided by local rights of way (and in particular by footpaths, cycle tracks, bridleways and restricted byways) for exercise and other forms of open-air recreation and the enjoyment of their area
• the accessibility of local rights of way to blind or partially sighted persons and others with mobility problems.

The Plan is an integral part of the Council’s Derby Joint Local Transport Plan, also known as LTP2. The Department for Transport, DfT, has stated that the RoWIP must show clear links to the LTP2’s priorities as well as meet its Quality of Life objectives.

Assessment

The assessment of how the local rights of way network meets the public’s needs in Derby was made in two parts.

First, we looked at the size and connectivity of Derby’s path network and its general condition. We also examined the procedures and policies that determine how we maintain and develop the network.

Second, in order to identify the existing and future needs of the different types of path users, we carried out our own extensive research and looked at some of the existing local and national research. We looked at the findings from our public consultation exercise, which we named the Derby Path Survey, 2005. We received over 300 completed questionnaires in response to the survey. We looked at the county-wide findings of Derbyshire County Council. We also looked at the findings of important national research such as Sport England’s Active People Survey, 2005/6 which surveyed English residents who were 16 and over and the General Household Survey, 2002, which collects data on all adults in the whole of Britain.

We published the Draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan in May 2007 and put it out for public consultation for a period of 12 weeks until 3 August 2007. We received 16 responses to the draft Plan. We took into account the public comments and the advice from the Derby and Derbyshire Local Access Forum on the draft Plan. Using the information gathered, we produced a Statement of Action.

Statement of Action

The Statement of Action is the most important part of the Plan and sets out the list of actions that we intend to take to improve the path network and provide greater opportunities for people to use paths.

We have drawn up five main aims in the Statement of Action. Within each aim, we have identified several broad actions that need to be undertaken to achieve the aim. We have labelled these broad actions as identified needs. To meet each identified need, we have produced a number of specific actions. The five aims are listed below, along with a summary of what they are designed to achieve.

Aim 1: To make sure that the local rights of way network is easier to use

Through this aim, we will ensure that the city’s path network is maintained to as high a standard as possible. We will also improve the accessibility of paths for people who are visually impaired, or have mobility problems. We will also try to reduce the real and perceived public worries about personal safety on paths.

Aim 2: To provide an up to date and widely available Definitive Map and Statement

Through this aim, we will publish a new Definitive Map and Statement in both paper and electronic formats to replace the old Definitive Maps and Statements which cover Derby. We will also try and make it as widely available to the public as possible. We will also update our procedures for making changes to the path network.

Aim 3: To provide a more connected network suitable for all users

Through this aim, we will create new link paths and upgrade existing routes that will improve connections between important locations for the public. We will also create more walks and leisure routes with the aim of helping people get fit and giving them easy access to areas of open space and the countryside.

Aim 4: To improve the provision of information about the public path network and access to the countryside

Through this aim, we will provide more information for the public, in both printed and electronic formats, about the city’s path network and the opportunities for access to the countryside. We will also provide more organised events, including walks and cycle rides led by local path users and heritage groups.

Aim 5: To provide greater opportunities for those groups who don’t usually use paths to use them more

Through this aim, we will try and provide disadvantaged groups and communities within the city with greater opportunities to enjoy using the city’s path network and its open spaces and countryside.

For further information contact

Derby City Council
Regeneration and Community
Roman House
Friar Gate
Derby DE1 1XB

Telephone 01332 255024 Minicom 01332 256666 Fax 01332 255989 email rightsofway@derby.gov.uk  

For additional information on rights of way improvement plans, you can visit these websites

Natural England 
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - DEFRA 
Derbyshire County Council