Rights of Way Improvement Plan
The Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) is a 10 year strategic plan that is designed to be a mechanism for improving the local network of public rights of way for all types of user. Local rights of way including footpaths, cycle tracks, bridleways, restricted byways and byways open to all traffic.
The Merseyside Rights of Way Improvement Plan has been developed as a result of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and in accordance with these requirements sets out:
- An assessment of the opportunities provided by the local rights of way for exercise and other forms of outdoor recreation and enjoyment.
- An assessment of the accessibility of the local rights of way to those members of the public who are blind and partially sighted or those who have other mobility problems.
- A statement of action that is proposed for the management of local rights of way and for securing an improved network of local rights of way, with particular regard to matters dealt with in the assessment.
Who will benefit from Rights of Way Improvements?
The ROWIP is an access for all plan, which intends to improve access to the network for all types of users.
In addition to these, we anticipate that the following groups will also benefit from improvements to the network:
- Under represented groups (young people, those people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds and people living in areas of social exclusion).
- Infrequent or non users (people who cite no time, not knowing the location of routes, insufficient information and no current interest as reasons for not using the network).
- Other recreational users (people undertaking additional recreational activities outside the scope of the plan but who may benefit from access improvements. For example Anglers, Canoeists etc.
Rights of Way Improvement Plans contributing to Local Authority plans and strategies
The importance of the contribution Rights of Way can have to transport planning is recognised in the ROWIPs development as a daughter document to the Local Transport Plan for Merseyside (LTP), however the greatest opportunities for ROWIPs can be explored through their integration with a wide area of Local Authority and private sector activity including: community strategies, healthy living agendas, leisure and recreation agendas, peoples agendas, tourism agendas, planning agendas and transport planning.
The Relationship between ROWIPs and other Local Authority plans and strategies
Public Rights of Way are a key ingredient in the development of an integrated transport network, which provide:
- Safe, traffic free routes;
- Access opportunities for functional and recreational journeys;
- Inclusive access for all;
- Sustainable transport opportunities;
- Links and connectivity to the wider transport network such as cycle routes, highways and public transport.
Public Rights of Way can also contribute to the following LTP and LTP related objectives:
- Accessibility
- Air quality
- Congestion
- Environmental Sustainability
- Health
- Quality of life
- Road safety
- Sustainable transport
- Tourism
The development of ROWIPs and the importance attached to their potential in delivering LTP objectives has been building momentum:
- The recent Eddington transport study identified that the delivery of small local scale schemes promoting and developing walking and cycling infrastructure enhance local travel networks, represent excellent value for money and have a positive impact for local people and their access to jobs, goods and services.
- From this year onwards the Department for Transport require LTP progress reports to highlight the contribution ROWIPs have in delivering LTP objectives.
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