Powys Unitary Development Plan - Denbighshire Local ...

Powys County Council UDP 2001-2016 Adopted March 2010
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resource, as well as being a practical and historical way to get from A to B. It is also,
of course, an important resource in the drive towards sustainability with the potential
for the use of mechanised forms of transport to be reduced in favour of natural
propulsion, especially as fuel costs rise. The availability of public rights of way,
particularly for shorter journeys will be even more important if people revert to
choosing to walk, cycle or ride horses, rather than using their cars.
POLICY RL6 - RIGHTS OF WAY AND ACCESS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE
PROPOSALS THAT IMPROVE ACCESS TO AND ENJOYMENT OF THE
COUNTRYSIDE BY THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING PERSONS WITH LIMITED MOBILITY
WILL BE ENCOURAGED. IN PARTICULAR SUPPORT WILL BE GIVEN TO:
1. DEVELOPMENT OF THE EXISTING RIGHTS OF WAY NETWORK THROUGH
SENSITIVELY LOCATED CIRCULAR ROUTES, LOCAL WALKS, LINKS AND
OTHER TRAILS, PARTICULARLY THOSE RELATED TO RECREATIONAL
SITES, CAR PARKS, PICNIC AREAS, ETC.
2. IMPROVEMENT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACCESS BY THOSE WITH
SPECIAL NEEDS;
3. CONTINUED MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT OF EXISTING RIGHTS OF
WAY, INCLUDING SIGN POSTING AND WAYMARKING.
4. THE RECREATIONAL USE OF EXISITING ROUTES IN PRIVATE OWNERSHIP,
SUCH AS CANAL TOWPATHS, REDUNDANT RAILWAY LINES, ETC.
5. CREATION OF NEW RIGHTS OF WAY WITHIN PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS
WITH LINKS TO THE EXISTING NETWORK.
6. SAFEGUARDING FROM DEVELOPMENT OF CANAL TOWPATHS, DISUSED
RAILWAYS OR SIMILAR FORMS OF TRADITIONAL TRANSPORT ROUTES.
DEVELOPMENT WILL BE PERMITTED PROVIDED THAT IT CAN BE SHOWN
THAT THE DEVELOPMENT WILL NOT PREJUDICE THE POTENTIAL REUSE
OF THE FORMER TRANSPORT ROUTE.
10.9.3 A variety of opportunities exist for increasing access to the countryside for its
enjoyment, appreciation and awareness. The Council, in partnership with the CCW
and Community Councils, amongst others, will seek to improve and enhance the
public rights of way network. Proposals such as circular walks or nature trails are
encouraged, and have been developed by the Council in various towns and villages.
Nevertheless proposals will be assessed against their impact on the landscape,
historic, nature conservation and archaeological interests and should be acceptable to
local communities. In the past, single developments have prevented or seriously
inconvenienced the progressing of such projects along old transport routes such as
disused railway lines and canal towpaths. These old transport routes tend to be
relatively flat and direct and therefore their use in the future as leisure or everyday
means of transport is important and they should be retained. In addition to these,
Powys has Regional and National Trails, and dedicated cycle trails, the main ones
being listed in the following policy RL7. The traditional network of public rights of way
also provides important links with these promoted routes.
10.9.4 The Countryside Service within the County Council manages the public
rights of way network. They have dedicated staff in Knighton and Machynlleth for the
Offa’s Dyke Path and Glyndwr’s Way National Trails respectively. Local Authorities
and CCW jointly promote the use and enjoyment of National Trails. Local Authorities
also actively develop and promote an associated range of regional trails, typically
managed to the same standards as National Trails. They are recognised as being
Recreation and Leisure 152