Earlier this month I asked officers as to what plans Powys CC had to respond to the Ramblers Association “Don’t lose your way” initiative to save lost paths, those that were missed from the original Definitive Map creation. Volunteers having identified a potential 1623 miles of lost rights of way within the county. I have now received their reply.
Not unexpectedly this highlights the significant cost and contentious nature of such modification orders. As someone who had worked on a definitive map in the past I can vouch for the truth in this statement. they also highlighted the lack of resource and its potential impact on other work to improve the network if there were to be a systematic review of the data. So they at this time had no plans to dedicate significant effort in this direction. However, what was more encouraging was their suggestion of using public path Orders, a consensual discussion based approach involving landowners as well as claimants in preparing an agreed way forward, as a way to tackle the same issue in a cheaper and more expedient manner
I therefore look forward to the publication of the detailed maps by the Ramblers Association with a view to working with them and local landowners if there are potential routes within my ward that could enhance the local network and make the area more attractive for recreational and health based walks in the future.
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