The Isle of Wight Council is asking for your views about its Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP). The current plan, published in 2006, explains how improvements made to the public rights of way network on the Island will provide a better experience for users and help to meet their needs.
In line with the requirements of the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000, the Council must review the RoWIP every 10 years, to make sure it is still relevant, appropriate and continues to meet the needs of residents and visitors.
The public consultation runs from 20th June to 16th September 2016 and is an opportunity for people to give their opinion of the public rights of way on the Island.
The public consultation is an online survey seeking views and general expectations on public rights of way from users such as:
• walkers
• cyclists
• horse riders
• horse and carriage drivers
• people with mobility problems
• people using motorised vehicles, eg motorbikes
The review will specifically look at the extent to which local rights of way meets the present and likely future needs of the public; the opportunities provided by local rights of way (such as footpaths, cycle tracks, bridleways and restricted byways) for exercise and other forms of open-air recreation, and the accessibility of local rights of way.
Councillor Paul Fuller, Executive member for environment, (sustainability) and local engagement, said:
“Our public rights of way network throughout the Island provides both residents and visitors the opportunity to explore and experience the most iconic and beautiful landscapes the UK has to offer. At the same time the health and leisure benefits to getting out and having fun is unsurpassed on the Island and we are truly blessed by what we have to offer on our doorstep and beyond.
Article continues below this advertisement “From the perspective of our current plan, I want to know what we are doing well, what can be improved and how we can ensure our footpaths and bridleways retain their popularity for future generations.
“It is therefore so important that we receive widespread feedback to our improvement plan, and in turn this informs the method by how we manage and improve our rights of way by meeting the needs of users.”
You can download a copy of the current plan and access the survey from the Isle of Wight Council website at https://www.iwight.com/Residents/Environment-Planning-and-Waste/Rights-of-Way/Public-Rights-of-Way/Rights-of-Way-Improvement-Plan-2016-Consultation.
Alternatively, you can email the Rights of Way team on [email protected] or contact the Isle of Wight Council by calling 01983 821000.
The closing date for responses to this consultation is 16th September 2016. Unfortunately no responses received after this date can be considered by the Council.
