Written question asked by Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 15 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 29 March 2004. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Monday, 29 March 2004 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many roads used as public paths, as introduced under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, have been reclassified as byways open to all traffic in accordance with the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 on the basis of (a) conclusive evidence of dedication as a public carriage road by the landowner and (b) circumstantial evidence of deemed dedication as a public carriage road by the landower; and in each case, how many were inspected to ensure compliance with standards set out in Part 10 of the Highways Act 1980.

Answer: Mr. Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many roads used as public paths, as introduced under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, have been reclassified as byways open to all traffic in accordance with the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 on the basis of (a) conclusive evidence of dedication as a public carriage road by the landowner and (b) circumstantial evidence of deemed dedication as a public carriage road by the landowner; and in each case, how many were inspected to ensure compliance with standards set out in Part 10 of the Highways Act 1980. [162357] Alun Michael: Information relating to the basis on which roads used as public paths have been reclassified is not held by local highway authorities in a form in which it can be readily retrieved. The requirement is for highway authorities to maintain byways open to all traffic (BOATS) in a condition that is fit for purpose rather than to meet a fixed statutory standard.

Secondary information