email:laf@lake-district.gov.uk web: www.lake-district.gov.uk Nick ...

Nick Thorne
Access & Rights of Way Officer
Lake District National Park Authority
Murley Moss
Oxenholme Road
Kendal
Cumbria LA9 7RL
13 May 2008
Murley Moss
Oxenholme Road
Kendal, Cumbria
LA9 7RL
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Tel: 01539 724555
Fax: 01539 740822
Minicom: 01539 731263
Dear Nick,
Public Footpaths 512054, 512056 & 529023 at Tarn Hows and Rose Castle, Parishes of
Hawkshead and Coniston.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposals detailed in your letter dated 5
March 2008. Following a site visit on the evening of 23 April 2008 the comments and advice
from the LDNP LAF are as follows.
1. Map 1: We found it impossible to relate the detail of Map 1 to what we saw on the ground.
We think that we were confused by the number of tracks and paths that are evident on the
ground which are not featured on Map 1. We did not have the benefit of GPS and
consequently were unable to even vaguely identify the points A, B, C or D. We regard this as
a fundamental problem for the consultation exercise and advise that maps supplied with
papers should be readable and referensable with confidence with what is identifiable on the
ground. Perhaps we missed something in our map reading, but if the proposals do not
accurately reflect what is visible on the ground then there may be a danger here that one set
of problems will be simply replaced by another set of problems. On the face of it the proposals
appear to be practical and uncontentious, but we cannot confirm that until we can be sure that
we have interpreted the proposals accurately and completely.
2. Map 2: We feel that there are potentially a number of issues here that should be subject to
further consideration. We advise caution and further consideration.
It is clear that although the line of the definitive route (E - G) is not used, there are other
routes in the vicinity of it, or parts of it, that are currently used, in addition to the engineered
route E - H - K. There may be justification in establishing / creating the engineered route E- H
- K as an additional definitive footpath, whilst at he same time diverting the original definitive
route E - G onto a more useable / attractive route. This could provide an option of routes
according to desire, purpose, ability, level of use, etc..
Also, whilst we agree that there is no visible path on the definitive line between F and N it
seems that there are walked routes close to eastern half of it. There also seems to be a
walked route, via a stile located between points L & M, which heads north towards the Corpse
/ Fell Road.
Our advice relating to paths on Map 2 is that is that for this area, and possibly for other areas
in the NT territory at Tarn Hows, before any order is pursued for extinguishing and creating
paths, a more complete and holistic study should be made of the needs and preferences of
_________________________________________________________________________________
email:laf@lake-district.gov.uk
web: www.lake-district.gov.uk

RoW users in the area. This would result in a more complete picture of which are redundant
definitive routes, and of preferred permitted and definitive routes. A key feature of a holistic
approach would be a single map showing all the paths visible on the ground as well as the
definitive lines and the permitted paths promoted by the NT.
We think that a study should also consider the provision of rights of way to Access Land
access points that appear to have been provided around the area.
3. Map 3: We commend the proposals contained at Map 3 without further comment.
4. We understand that there are outstanding map modification orders extant for the Tarn
Hows area that possibly should also be considered as part of a wider context study.
Please note that as an exception to usual forum practice I have prepared this advice at
Charles Flanagan’s request due to Charles’s historic close association with the location
under consideration.
I will welcome trying to answer any other questions that you may have arising from this
response.
Sincerely
Geoff Wilson
Chair LDNP LAF
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email:laf@lake-district.gov.uk
web: www.lake-district.gov.uk