Public Rights of Way Report - Chiltern Evergreen3

5 DESCRIPTION OF PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY AFFECTEDINTRODUCTION5.1 As Circular 1/09 (1) makes clear, public rights of way are a unique andvaluable resource which are enjoyed by the public principally for recreationalpurposes. Rights of way are recognised as a significant part of the Country’sheritage and a major recreation and transport resource. Oxfordshire has a2,602 mile public rights of way network of which 1,730 miles are footpath, 672miles are bridleways, 156 miles of restricted byways and 44 miles of bywaysopen to all traffic. The Oxfordshire RoWIP (2) states that, in places, the publicrights of way network is “disjointed, fragmented and obstructed”. The publicrights of way network in Oxfordshire is not planned and has evolved overmany years. The “distribution and density of the network differs widely betweendifferent areas of the county and especially for the different user type” (3) .DESCRIPTION OF AFFECTED PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY AND RAIL CROSSINGS5.2 There are 17 public railway crossings and one footpath which crosses thealignment of the new connecting line, north of Gavray Drive, that will beaffected by the Scheme. All of the rail crossings and public rights of way arelocated in the District of Cherwell. Table 5.1 lists the public rights of way thatwill be affected by the Scheme. A full description from the Definitive MapSchedule for each right of way is provided in Annex C. The locations of theaffected crossings are shown in Figure 4.1.5.3 In addition to the public rights of way affected, 21 private accommodationcrossings are also to be closed. This includes the Aristotle Lane Crossingcurrently used by allotment holders of the Trap Ground/Aristotle Laneallotments. As the crossing is to be closed Chiltern Railways is proposing tomake improvements to the neighbouring Aristotle Lane bridleway bridge toaccommodate wheelbarrows and to provide a new bridge link from theAristotle Lane bridge into the allotments. In addition, Chiltern Railways isalso seeking to obtain rights for allotment holders over the existing trackacross Port Meadow from the car park at Walton Well Road.(1) defra, Rights of Way Circular (1/09) Guidance for Local Authorities, October 2009.(2) Oxfordshire County Council, Oxfordshire Rights of Way Improvement Plan, February 2006, Para 38.(3) Ibid, paragraph 40.ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT23CHILTERN RAILWAYS