Written question asked by Laurence Robertson (Conservative) on Wednesday, 7 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 December 2005. It was answered by Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 December 2005 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Rights of Way

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) byways and (b) bridleways have been added to the definitive map in England and Wales since the enactment of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 as a result of (i) a statement of action in a Rights of Way Improvement Plan and (ii) a Definitive Map Modification Order under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Answer: [holding answer 12 December 2005]: It is unlikely that any byways or bridleways have been added to the definitive map in England and Wales as a result of a statement of action in a Rights of Way Improvement Plan. These plans do not need to be completed until November 2007.The majority of authorities have begun work on a plan, but only three have completed their plan—Cambridgeshire county council, Devon county council and the City of York. These plans have only recently been adopted and have not, as yet, resulted in any new byways or bridleways being added to the definitive map.Information about the total number of Definitive Map Modification Orders under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is not collected by DEFRA. This information is held by local highway authorities and could be gathered only at a disproportionate cost.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 36827; 440 c1854W;440 c1854W
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Access Countryside Planning Maps Public footpaths Rights of way Bridleways
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk