The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for RCT - Rhondda Cynon Taf

O ut &AboutTHE RIGHTS OF WAY IMPROVEMENT PLANFOR RHONDDA CYNON TAFCOUNTRYSIDE

ContentsExecutive Summary ..................................................................................................11. Background and contextIntroduction ......................................................................................................3Legislative Background ......................................................................................3Area Description................................................................................................3The Assessment..................................................................................................4Map One: Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC area ..........................................................52. PolicyPolicy Context and the Importance of Policy......................................................6Community Plan ‘A Better Life’ ..........................................................................6Area Partnership and Communities First Action Plans ......................................7Local Development Plan....................................................................................7Sustainable Development ..................................................................................7Regional Transport Plan ....................................................................................7Countryside Strategy / Living Space Action Programme3. Different Users and their NeedsWalking ............................................................................................................8Horse Riding......................................................................................................8Cycling ..............................................................................................................8Access for All ....................................................................................................8Carriage Driving ................................................................................................9Motorised Vehicles ............................................................................................9General Findings................................................................................................9Non-Users ........................................................................................................94. Use, Demand and Reasons for AccessPopulation ......................................................................................................10Socio-Economic Profile....................................................................................10Map Two: Population density ..........................................................................11Map Three: Persons per km of Rights of Way Ward Map ..................................12Map Four: Persons per Hectare of Open Access Ward Map ............................13Map Five: Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation ..............................................14Map Six: Welsh Index of Health Deprivation ..................................................15Healthy Living ................................................................................................16Recreation, Leisure and Tourism ......................................................................16Commuting and Utility Use ............................................................................16Latent Demand ................................................................................................17Conflicting Interests ........................................................................................17Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

5. Current ProvisionThe Public Rights of Way Network ....................................................................18The State of the Network..........................................................................18Legally defined ........................................................................................18Management............................................................................................18Publicity ..................................................................................................19Claimed Right of Ways ............................................................................19Open Access Land ............................................................................................19Forestry Commission of Wales Land ..................................................................19Council-owned Land, including Key Countryside Sites, ....................................20Local Nature Reserves, Country Parks and Public Parks......................................20Permissive Paths ................................................................................................20Highway Network..............................................................................................20Map Seven: The Access Network ......................................................................216. Assessment and EvaluationThe Vision..........................................................................................................22Objective One: Promote outdoor countryside activity for health, ....................22regeneration, tourism and recreationObjective Two: Promote walking and cycling as transport options ..................23Objective Three: Protect the access resource (including PROW, ........................23highways, access land and Council facilities)Objective Four: Improve provision for walkers, cyclists, horse riders, ..............24off road vehicles and users with disabilitiesObjective Five: Involve local community and voluntary organisations in ........ 25the development, promotion and use of access opportunitiesObjective Six: Develop a more efficient office management system.............. 25for statutory Rights of Way work including the Definitive Map7. ActionsStatement of Action ..........................................................................................26Objective One: Promote outdoor countryside activity for health, ....................28regeneration, tourism and recreationObjective Two: Promote walking and cycling as transport options ..................30Objective Three: Protect the access resource (including PROW, highways ........32access land and Council facilities)Objective Four: Improve provision for walkers, cyclists, horse riders, ..............34off road vehicles and users with disabilitiesObjective Five: Involve local community and voluntary organisations in ........36the development, promotion and use of access opportunitiesObjective Six: Develop a more efficient office management system for..........38statutory Rights of Way work Including the Definitive Map8. Implementation ..................................................................................................409. Monitoring and reporting ..................................................................................42AppendicesAppendix One: Population ..............................................................................43Appendix Two: Summary of assessment findings relating to each objective ....44Appendix Three: Council funding 2007-8 ..........................................................46Appendix Four: Duties and Powers of Local Authorities ..................................47Appendix Five: Abbreviations and Glossary ....................................................50Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

VISION STATEMENT FORCOUNTRYSIDE ACCESS INRHONDDA CYNON TAF“To manage, develop and promote thenetwork of local public rights of way andother countryside access in order to satisfy presentand likely future demand for the enjoyment of thecountryside, open-air recreation, exercise”and ‘access for all’.Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Executive SummaryThe Rights of Way Improvement Planis published following a lengthyconsultation process that included anIssues Paper (2005), Assessment (2006)and the draft Plan (Jan 2007). Theresponse to consultation at each stagehas also been published. Theamended Assessment forms part of thefinal plan and is available on request.The publication of the Plan meets theduty set out in The Countryside andRights of Way Act 2000.The Introduction describes thelegislative background and thelandscape of Rhondda Cynon Taf. Itsummarises the access opportunitiesidentified in the Assessment.Chapter two summarises the policycontext as relevant to Out & About,drawing on the Issues Paper, theAssessment and consultationresponses.Chapter three describes the differentusers of the access network and theirneeds. It highlights the deficiencies asidentified in the Issues Paper, theAssessment and the responses toconsultation.Chapter four focuses on the use,demand and reasons for access.Healthy living, recreation and utilityuse are considered, as well as latentdemand and conflicting interests.Chapter five examines the currentaccess provision. The Rights of Waynetwork is described, the new OpenAccess provisions are explained,together with permissive paths, KeyCountryside Sites and Parks. The roleof the highway network is alsoaddressed.Chapter six presents the objectives forthe Rights of Way Improvement Plan.Each objective is discussed in relationto the assessment findings and thepolicy that underpins the objective.Objective 1:Promote outdoor countryside activityfor health, regeneration, tourism andrecreationObjective 2:Promote walking and cycling astransport optionsObjective 3Protect the access resource (includingPROW, highways, access land andCouncil facilities)Objective 4:Improve provision for walkers, cyclists,horse riders, off road vehicles andusers with disabilitiesObjective 5:Involve local community andvoluntary organisations in thedevelopment, promotion and use ofaccess opportunitiesObjective 6:Develop a more efficient officemanagement system for statutoryRights of Way work including theDefinitive MapOut & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf1

Executive SummaryChapter seven sets out the Statementof Action. For each objective, a seriesof actions are proposed. These arecategorised as ‘service’ actions orprojects. The service actions aresubdivided into strategic and routine.The projects are divided into existingand new projects. Tables associatedwith each objective indicate theresource requirements (existing andnew), timescale and the partnersinvolved in the implementation ofeach action.Chapter eight summaries the issuesrelating to the implementation of theaction plan.Chapter nine sets out the proposals formonitoring, evaluation and review ofthe Plan.The Appendices provide backgroundand supporting information.The Rights of Way Improvement Planshould be read in conjunction with theIssues Paper (2005) and theAssessment (2006).2Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

1. Background and contextIntroductionThe Out & About Plan is the final stagein the Rights of Way Improvement Planprocess. The procedure and content isset out in Guidance from the WelshAssembly. In spring 2005, an IssuesPaper was published for consultationgiving an outline of the stages of thePlan preparation and the key issuesrelevant for the Plan. This informed theAssessment, published in January2006, which considered the accessnetwork and access needs within theCounty Borough. The Draft Plan waspublished in January 2007, theconsultation closed in April and thereport of the final consultation hasbeen published. Amendments havebeen made as a result of theconsultation.Legislative backgroundUnder Section 60 of the Countrysideand Rights of Way Act, each localHighway Authority is required toassess the rights of way network andaccess land within the CountyBorough, and produce a Rights of WayImprovement Plan. For ‘Out & About:the Rights of Way Improvement Planfor Rhondda Cynon Taf’ rights of way,open access land, dedicated accessland (Forestry Commission land), KeyCountryside Sites, parks and otherpermissive access land have beenincluded.The Welsh Assembly Governmentguidance states that the Rights of WayImprovement Plan should assess:area, and the accessibility of rightsof way to blind or partially sightedpersons, and others with mobilityproblems, and• a statement of the actions that theLocal Authority will take to improvethe network of rights of way.The guidance sets out the roles of theRights of Way Improvement Plan as astrategic plan, a bidding document forresources and the basis for developingwork programmes.Area DescriptionRhondda Cynon Taf County Boroughextends from the uplands of theBrecon Beacons, to the rolling hills ofthe Vale of Glamorgan. Out & Aboutdoes not cover the area included inthe Brecon Beacons National Park, asthe National Park Authority ispreparing its own Rights of WayImprovement Plan. See Map 1.The countryside is extensive, coveringabout 80% of the County Borough. Inthe north, steep-sided valleys cut thespectacular scenery of the moorlandand forestry plateau. The slopes offfridd with crags, scree, woodland, wetflushes, heath and grassy slopes formthe backdrop to the valley towns.South of Pontypridd, the valleys arewider and the plateau lower. Thescenery is more characteristic of theborders of the Vale of Glamorgan, withrolling hills and a lowland landscapeof enclosed farmland and woods.There is also more built development,with housing estates and businessestaking advantage of the M4 corridor.• the extent to which local rights ofway meet the present and likelyfuture needs of the public.Throughout the County Borough thereare diverse access opportunities. The• the opportunities provided by localopen moors can offer remote andrights of way (and in particular bychallenging walking, thick forestryfootpaths, cycle tracks, bridlewaysplantations contrast with the dappledand restricted byways), for exercisesun-lit deciduous woodlands. You canand other forms of open airchoose a steep scramble by arecreation, the enjoyment of themountain stream or a level, surfaced3Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

former railway track by the river. In thenorth of the County Borough openaccess land is extensive, in placesadjoining the terraced streets. In thesouth, the footpath and bridlewaynetwork is denser, crossing acountryside of farms and small woods.The AssessmentThe Assessment quantified the extentof the countryside access networkavailable for public recreation andenjoyment. Details were presented forthe County Borough as a whole andfor each ward. Almost 25% of theCounty Borough is designated asaccess land (outside the BreconBeacons National Park), most of thisbeing in the north of the borough. Thesouth has a greater concentration ofthe extensive 743 km public rights ofway network. Most people have accessopportunities close to where they liveand work.The Assessment also considered theneeds of users and of specific groups.This drew on the results ofconsultation with interestedorganisations and the general publicthrough the Issues Paper and a publicquestionnaire. Further information wasobtained through examination ofexisting internal and external strategicpolicy and consultation with a range ofpartnership bodies, which haveundertaken their own consultationexercises. The improvement of theaccess network has clear links, forexample, with the Council’sCommunity Plan and the emergingaction plans of the five thematicpartnerships as well as the AreaRegeneration Partnerships.To build a detailed picture of accessprovision, a ward-by-ward assessmentof the access network has beenconducted. This includes Open Accessland, Forestry Commission land, KeyCountryside Sites, parks, permissivepaths and footpaths, bridleways,byways as recorded on the DefinitiveMap. The results are presented insummary tables, graphs and maps forthe County Borough as a whole, withthe ward descriptions, maps and fulldata presented in appendices. Thetables showed the length of path andthe area of open access in relation tothe population and area of the ward.The results of the Assessment haveinformed the preparation of the Draftand the Final Plan.4Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Map One: Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough CouncilHirwaunRhymney/RhymniMerthyr Tydfil/Merthyr TudfulA470Aberdare/AberdârAberamanTreherbertAbercwmboi/AbercwmbóiMaerdy/Y MaerdyMountain Ash/AberpennarBargoed/BargodFerndale/GlynrhedynogTreorchy/TreorciYstrad MynachTonypandyMaesteg/Maes-tegPorth/Y PorthM4Caerphilly/CaerfPontypriddTonyrefailChurch Village/Pentre’r EglwysLlantwit Fadref/Llanilltud FaerdrefLlanharanBeddau/Y BeddauLlantrisantPontyclun/Pont-y-clunM4Bridgend/Pen-y-bont ar OgwrCardiff/CaerdyddCardiff International AirportMaes Awyr CaerdyddReproduced from the Ordnance Survey Mapping with the permission of HerMajesty’s Stationary Office (C) Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproductioninfringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civilproceedings. Rhondda Cynon Taff CBC Licence No. 1000234585Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

2. PolicyPolicy Context and theImportance of PolicyThe Rights of Way Improvement Planshould consider the strategic policycontext. This will ensure that the Plandoes not conflict with other policiesand reflects the access needs identifiedby others. Where other policies andplans are being developed in parallelwith Out & About, joint working canbe promoted. The Issues Paper set outa list of relevant policy documents andthis was developed in the Assessment.This section does not repeat the detailprovided in the Assessment, butidentifies the key areas of policyinteraction with Rights of Way andaccess concerns. This provides thebasis for the vision, aim, objectivesand actions in the Rights of WayImprovement Plan.Community Plan ‘A Better Life’The Community Plan provides theoverarching strategic policy for theCouncil and others operating in theCounty Borough. The Plan is beingimplemented through five thematicpartnerships, each with representationfrom the statutory, voluntary andbusiness sectors. In addition, there aretwelve area regeneration partnershipsinvolving the same sectors at a morelocal level. All of these partnershipshave undertaken extensiveconsultation with the general publicand specific interest groups. Detail ofthe five themes is given in theAssessment. Each of the themes andtheir associated action plans hasrelevance for Out & About.Regeneration includes economicconsiderations such as tourismdevelopment, an attractiveenvironment and a positive image,access to employment and climatechange adaptation, as well as theLocal Development Plan and theRegional Transport Plan. Socialinclusion and equal access to facilitiesare also relevant.Health improvement has strong linkswith Out & About, includingpromoting physical activity, the socialand mental health benefits ofrecreation out of doors and access forall. The Active Living Partnership ischarged with progressing part of thisagenda. Other aspects of relevanceinclude transport issues and healthyenvironments.Bro Dysg’s focus is on individualsvaluing and supporting learning. Thereare curriculum requirements foroutdoor learning, and the voluntaryand statutory providers of lifelonglearning are prominent users of thecountryside.Community Safety has concernsregarding environment, transport, roadsafety and youth safety as well ascrime, disorder and anti-socialbehaviour. Illegal off road vehicle useis a specific public issue focused on offroad motorcycle scrambling. As aresult the Partnership has employed anOff Road Motorcycle Co-ordinator.Living Space considers transport,accessibility, parks, countryside, waste,built environment, environmentalquality and strategic issues such asenergy, resource use and climatechange. All of these are relevant toOut & About.6Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Area Partnership and CommunitiesFirst Action PlansAudits and Action Plans have beenproduced for each of the twelve AreaPartnerships that cover the whole ofRhondda Cynon Taf. Some haveidentified access and rights of wayconcerns and these were listed in theAssessment. Within Rhondda CynonTaf, there are 23 Communities FirstPartnerships. Again these partnershipshave undertaken community auditsand developed Action Plans. Theissues raised are listed in theAssessment and have informed the Out& About Action Plan.Local Development PlanThe Local Development Plan is beingprepared in parallel with the Rights ofWay Improvement Plan and willincorporate any land-use policiesarising from Out & About. The detail ofexisting planning policies to protectaccess facilities and develop new onesis given in the Assessment.An Accessible Natural Greenspaceaudit is being undertaken as part of theLocal Development Plan process. Thisuses a methodology developed by theCountryside Council for Wales andwill identify greenspace of value towildlife and people, together with theurban areas that are more than 300metres from accessible naturalgreenspace.Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable development is beingprogressed through the integration ofeconomic, social and environmentalconcerns in the Out & About actionplan. Long term and global concernshave also been considered.Regional Transport PlanDetails of the current Local TransportPlan is given in the Assessment. This isdue to be replaced by a RegionalTransport Plan for South East Wales.The Authority has been active indeveloping regional cycle routes, andin promoting public transport, inparticular to Cardiff. Major roadschemes are being pursued, includingthe Porth/Rhondda Fach Relief Roadand the Church Village By Pass. ‘Saferoutes to school’ funding has beendeployed, and town centreenhancements promoted to improvethe walking environment. There is aproposal for the Council to produce itsown Walking and Cycling Strategy,possibly in conjunction with the SouthEast Wales Transport Alliance.Countryside Strategy / Living SpaceAction ProgrammeThe Countryside Strategy, adopted in1997, contains policies relating tointegrated land management,landscape, nature conservation,environmental education and access.This has been superseded by the LivingSpace Strategy. The Action Programme,which has been endorsed by the LivingSpace Partnership, lists actions for theCouncil and other partners, includingthe voluntary and community sectors,and is updated annually. TheAssessment includes details of theactions relating to access, in Appendix4. Actions arising from the Rights ofWay Improvement Plan will bereflected in the Living Space ActionProgramme as it is rolled forward.Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf7

3. Different Users and their Needs8IntroductionThis section draws on, but does notrepeat, the detail provided in theAssessment of different users and theirneeds.WalkingThis is the most common form ofaccess. Rhondda Cynon Taf has anextensive footpath network,supplemented by the introduction ofopen access in May 2005. Waymarkingand maintenance standardshave improved due to an increase instaff and resources from 2002,however, consultation and ‘easy touse’ statistics indicate that further workis required, in particular with regard tothe out of date Definitive Map. A lackof publicity regarding the network wasalso highlighted as a problem that Out& About should address. The levels ofuse of the footpath network is notknown, although the need forvegetation management can be anindicator of low levels of foot traffic. Itis likely that the urban fringe footpathsare more heavily used than moreremote paths.Horse RidingIt is recognised that there is a shortageof bridleways in the Rhondda, Cynonand Taff Valleys. In Taff Ely, the areanorth of Brynna and Llanharan has themost concentrated network ofbridleways in the County Borough.Some limited provision for horse ridershas been developed as part of theLoops and Links project in the north ofthe County Borough and there isextensive access to ForestryCommission Wales owned land viatheir Concordat with the British HorseSociety. The need for new bridlewaysor permissive routes for horse use andpotential for their development isaddressed by the action plan.CyclingCyclists, like horse riders, are classifiedas vulnerable road users. Cycling haslong been a popular and low costmethod of transport. The Councilcurrently manages a number of offroadroutes on disused railway linesthat are in Council ownership. Someof these form part of the NationalCycle Network. There is little specificon-road provision for cyclists. Sustrans,the sustainable transport charity, arecontinually seeking opportunities todevelop cycling routes in partnershipwith the Council. Mountain biking isalso a popular pastime, utilisingbridleways and other un-surfacedpermissive paths, often on ForestryCommission land. It is likely that onroad cycling is declining and off roadcycling (both trail and mountainbiking) increasing, in line withnational trends.Access for All/ Visually and MobilityImpaired UsersEach disabled person has differentabilities, attitudes and needs inrelation to access. Closer contact isneeded with disabled grouprepresentatives through the LocalAccess Forum, to reduce the exclusionof people with limited mobility orother impairment from using thenetwork. Current Council policy is toreplace existing stiles with kissinggates that will remove widthrestrictions and physical barriers,where possible. Also, where barriersare erected to prevent motorcycle use,chicanes and/or RADAR key gates areprovided to allow access for peoplewith mobility problems. A workinggroup undertook specific survey andadaptations on the Taff Trail withdisabled users, including the visuallyimpaired. This has informed morerecent work on other communityroutes. Adapted cycles are availableOut & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

for disabled cyclists in Aberdare SportsCentre. Also, some horse ridingestablishments provide opportunitiesfor disabled horse riders. The Councilemploys a disability sportsdevelopment officer to develop arange of opportunities.Carriage DrivingNo information or complaint has beenreceived from carriage drivers withregard to the facilities or the level ofactivity in Rhondda Cynon Taf. It isunderstood that most carriage drivingtakes place on private land. ForestryCommission Wales also providesopportunities for carriage driving ontheir land.Motor VehiclesIt is important to recognise thedifference between responsible usersand those who misuse the networkthrough illegal activities. It isrecognised that opportunities forresponsible users are limited andalternatives are required to introducefacilities in conjunction with otherpublic bodies. The Auto Cycle Unionhas produced a report on off roadmotorcycling in Rhondda Cynon Tafthat contains an assessment of thelevels of illegal use and the demandfor facilities (2004). The Council’sOffroad Steering Group is coordinatingwork in this area.Non-UsersDespite the extensive access resource,generally the levels of use in someareas are quite low. The most wellused paths are probably the urbanlinks and the adopted highway. Theuse of countryside paths is limited to arelatively small group of local, regularwalkers, cyclists and horse riders, andoccasional use by a larger group ofrecreational users, again mostly localresidents. Levels of knowledge of theavailable access opportunities are low,both among local people and potentialvisitors. The lack of information,publicity and promotion of theresource is the major reason for this.Publicity and promotion of thenetwork is a key component of theAction Plan.General FindingsThe access resource is extensive, witha large rights of way network andsignificant areas of access land.However, it is recognised thatimprovements are required to bringthe existing access opportunities to astandard that meets the needs of allusers. An increased level of resourceswould be required to achieve theseimprovements.Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf9

4. Use, Demand and Reasons for AccessPopulationRhondda Cynon Taf is the second mostpopulated Authority in Wales. Beinglocated in the M4 corridor and closeto Cardiff, there are pressures fordevelopment and opportunities foroutdoor recreation. The population ofthe twelve Area RegenerationPartnerships that cover RhonddaCynon Taf is given in Appendix One.The population is concentrated intowns and villages, with opencountryside between them. All partsof the County Borough are close toeither open access and / or the publicrights of way network. The Assessmentidentified a handful of small denselypopulated wards with few immediateaccess opportunities, but even theseareas had close connections toadjacent access. See Maps 2, 3 & 4.The most well used recreational sitesare within or close to built up areas.For example, the Taff Trail, Garwnant,Barry Sidings Countryside Park and theLlwydcoed to Cwmbach formerrailway Corridor, Dare Valley CountryPark and Glyncornel woods arepopular. More remote sites or pathsthat cross the open countryside are notas popular or well known.Socio-Economic ProfileThe socio-economic profile of thepopulation will affect the demand anduse of access opportunities. InRhondda Cynon Taf, only 64% ofresidents are economically active,below average for Wales. Carownership is also lower with 32% ofhouseholds having no car, 45% onecar whilst 24% have two or more cars(the Welsh figures are 26% no car,46% one car and 28% two or more).There is considerable variation inwealth across the County Borough,with the northern part of the Countygenerally less affluent than the south.Social inclusion is an important policypriority for the Council. See Map 5.People with no access to a car mayrely more heavily on walking andcycling for daily transport and may beexcluded from countryside activitiesthat are poorly served by publictransport. Low levels of economicactivity are frequently associated withlow household income. This mayexclude some people from taking partin countryside activity that involves acost (transport, equipment etc.).On the other hand, many retiredpeople enjoy outdoor activities such aswalking as a low cost daytime activity.Working people will tend to usecountryside recreation facilities in theevenings, at weekends and holidays.They may use walking and cyclingroutes as part of their journey to work.10Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Map Two: Population Density (per hectare)HirwaunAberdareAberamanTreherbertTreorchyMaerdyFerndaleAbercwmboiMountain AshTonypandyPorthPontypriddTonyrefailBrynnaLlanharanChurch VillageBeddauLlantrisant Llantwit FardrePontyclunKey:Population Densities(per Hectare):5 15 35 50 Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey Mapping with the permission ofHer Majesty’s Stationary Office (C) Crown Copyright. Unauthorisedreproduction infringes Crown Copyright and May lead to prosecution orcivil proceedings. Rhondda Cynon Taff CBC Licence No 10002345811Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Map Three: Persons per km of Rights of Way Ward Map12Key:0 -300 people per Km of PROW (Best)301 -600 people per Km of PROW601 -900 people per Km of PROW901 -1200 people per Km of PROW1201 + people per Km of PROW (Worst)Map Reference ST0097Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey Mapping withthe permission of Her Majesty’sStationary Office(C) Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproductioninfringes Crown Copyright amd may lead toprosecution or civil proceedings. Rhondda Cynon TafCBC Licence No. 100023458Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Map Four: Persons per hectare of Access LandKey:1 -25 people per ha of Access land (Best)26 -50 people per ha of Access land51 -100 people per ha of Access Land101 -200 people per ha of Access LandMap Reference ST0097(Open Access, Forestry CommissionWales,Common Land, Key Countryside Sites)Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey Mappingwith the permission of Her Majesty’sStationary Office201 + people per ha of Access Land(C) Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproductioninfringes Crown Copyright amd may lead toNo Access Land (Worst)prosecution or civil proceedings. Rhondda CynonTaf CBC Licence No. 10002345813Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Map Five: Welsh Index of Multiple deprivation overall deprivation index14Key:MostDeprived1 to 190191 to 380381 to 570571 to 950951 to 1896LeastDeprivedOverall Index ofDeprivation and Electoral Divisions(C) Crown Copyright.Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC Licence No. 10002358 2005(C) Maps and Diagrams, Corporate Policy Team,IMD2005 Overall Index (Revised) & EDDevelopment and Regeneration Unit,Valleys Innovation Centre, Tel: 01443 665000Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Map Six: Welsh Index of Multiple deprivation: Health DeprivationKey:MostDeprived1 to 190191 to 380Index of Multiple381 to 570Deprivation Health DomainBy Lower Level Super Output Areas571 to 950(C) Crown Copyright.951 to 1896Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC Licence No. 10002358 2005Least(C) Maps and Diagrams, Corporate Policy Team,DeprivedIMD2005 Health Development and Regeneration Unit,Valleys Innovation Centre, Tel: 01443 66500015Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

16Healthy LivingMap 6 shows the distribution of poorhealth across the County Borough. Inthe 2001 census, people were askedabout their general health. InRhondda Cynon Taf only 61% saidtheir health was good (compared with65% for Wales), 23% said their healthwas fairly good (23%) and 16% saidtheir health was not good (Wales13%). Moderate exercise is animportant part of a healthy lifestyle.The countryside and the extensiveaccess network can provide exerciseopportunities such as walking, runningor cycling, as an alternative to themore structured indoor exercise in thelocal sports centre. The countrysideaccess network is also a free network,available all day every day, providing afar more flexible resource. Riding andlooking after horses can also provideexercise opportunities.Respondents to the publicquestionnaire recognised theimportance of the access resource forexercise or sport. The Assessment alsoidentified the need to promotephysical activity, to improve the healthof the local population. Improving thehealth of the local population is animportant policy priority for theCouncil.Recreation, Leisure and TourismPublic rights of way originated fromthe tracks used by commuting workersto farms, villages and, especially inRhondda Cynon Taf, the mines. Thefunctional network changed in thelatter half of the twentieth century to alargely recreational network.In the past few decades there havebeen great changes in the ways peopleuse their leisure time. Theopportunities available for recreationhave increased dramatically, and,higher disposable incomes alsoincrease choice. People travel furtherand more frequently for leisureactivities. Local recreationopportunities must compete, not justwith the coast or the Beacons, but alsowith holiday destinations across theUK and abroad. There is anecdotalevidence that the use of the localaccess network has declined in the lasttwenty years or so, whilst the use ofhoney-pot sites and routes that arepromoted and well maintained, isincreasing.The extensive network of paths andopen access is an important amenityfor recreation, leisure, tourism. Theaccess resource is located close topeople’s homes and work places, andwithin close proximity of theestablished tourist areas of Cardiff andthe Brecon Beacons. The stunningscenery of Rhondda Cynon Taf, rich inwildlife and opportunities to enjoy theviews and recreation value of the openhillsides, has great, if undevelopedtourism potential.Commuting and Utility UseIn the census of those who work, 60%drive to work while only 10% walkand 2% cycle to work. Despite thechanges in the use of the accessnetwork described above, some urbanroutes still contribute to the functionaltransport network and this role mayincrease again in the future. Climatechange, rising oil prices and healthyliving, will encourage more walkingand cycling, often associated withincreasing public transport use. Alsoas mentioned above, low carownership levels can lead to socialexclusion if there is no access tofacilities and services for pedestrians,cyclists and public transport users.Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Latent DemandThe guidance produced by the WelshAssembly government, states that theROWIP should assess“…the extent towhich local rights of way meet thepresent and likely future needs of thepublic.” This would indicate that latentdemand should also be assessed.The Assessment identified thefollowing latent demands:• The increasing demand for off roadvehicle use, especially motorbikescurrently illegally using routes andopen countryside.• With unacceptable levels of poorhealth and rising obesity, the accessnetwork can provide a sustainable,low cost exercise opportunity.• Access for all routes: although anumber of the routes across theCounty Borough are open for thoseusing mobility aids, there is ademand for a greater diversity ofpaths, and publicity material, forthose using wheelchairs etc..Mobility scooters are becomingmore advanced allowing users totravel further. These larger scootersrequire wider access controls thantraditional wheelchairs.• More Bridleways. There are 743 kmof public rights of way of this only82 km are bridleways, most of whichare in the Brynna ward on the borderwith Bridgend County BoroughCouncil.• More Byways. Only 15 km ofByways, the majority of these tracksare in a poor condition.• Tourist use, combined witheconomic regenerationopportunities.To address latent demand, thefollowing issues identified in thepublic consultation, need to beconsidered.• Better information about routes• Need to control illegal motorbikeuse• Better provision for Access for All• Better maintenance of paths, signageand path furnitureConflicting InterestsSome conflict of interests betweenusers of the paths and sites areidentified through customer servicesand ranger contacts. Physical damageof path surfaces by horses and off roadvehicles, and illegal use of paths andsites by motorcycle scramblers are themost frequent complaints. This wasreflected in responses to the publicquestionnaire. Potential conflictbetween access and natureconservation has also been highlightedin specific circumstances.Conflicts with landowners do occurwhere footpaths are obstructed,though these conflicts are often swiftlydealt with reopening and improvingaccess. There was initial landownerapprehension regarding the new openaccess created by Countryside andRights of Way Act. The Local AccessForum provides a mechanism fordealing any concerns, buildingrelationships and opencommunication with the farmingcommunity. Publicity and guidancefrom the CCW also contribute tomanaging any potential conflictsbetween users and landowners. TirGofal and Tir Cynnal funding forfarmers is dependant on compliancewith Rights of Way law.Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf17

5. Current Provision18The Public Rights of Way NetworkThe public rights of way network is arich legacy, part of the ruralcommunications network thatoriginated before the era of surfacedroads and motor vehicles. Over time,it has evolved into a recreational andfunctional web, that enables people toexplore the countryside on foot, onhorseback, on a bicycle or in avehicle.Rhondda Cynon Taf has approximately2000 individual paths with a totallength of 743km, of which, 646km arefootpaths, 82km are bridleways and15km are by-ways open to all traffic.Details of the network across theCounty and on a ward-by-ward basisare presented in the Assessment.Maintaining and enhancing theseroutes is a priority if the increasedrecreational and sustainable transportdemands that will be put on the rightsof way network in the years to comeare to be met. Map 7 shows the extentof access opportunities.The State of the NetworkThe Assessment considered thecurrent condition of the rights of waynetwork in some detail. The WalesRights of Way Condition Survey2002 found that Rhondda Cynon Tafachieved an ‘easy to use’ figure onall paths of 53% (10% sample). TheNational Assembly WalesPerformance Indicator (5% sample)shows that the percentage of pathsthat are easy to use in RhonddaCynon Taf has increased from 21% in2001/2002, to 64% in 2004/2005,67% in 2005/06 and 73% in 2006/7.Legally DefinedThe National Parks and Access to theCountryside Act 1949 introduced theprocedures for recording publicrights on definitive maps andstatements. They are so calledbecause they can be produced incourt as conclusive evidence ofthose rights. The Act also requiredLocal Highway Authorities tomaintain these routes at publicexpense.Glamorgan County Councilpublished a draft map and statementon the 31st January 1955. The mapand statement had a relevant date ofthe 14th September 1954. Followingthe resolution of objections, aprovisional map and statement waspublished on the 1st May 1964, andfollowing further objections adefinitive map and statement waspublished on the 4th August 1970.Further reviews were carried out onthe areas now found in RhonddaCynon Taf. The definitive map andstatement for Rhondda Valley has arelevant date of 6th November 1992,and the Cynon Valley has a relevantdate of 15th December 1995. Therelevant date of the Taff Ely definitivemap and statement is 1st January1971. This is the date up to whichthe information contained in theDefinitive Map and statement iscorrect.ManagementCurrent staff regularly involved inmanaging Public Rights Of Way andopen access in Rhondda Cynon Tafare as follows:• Countryside Manager• Public Rights of Way Officer• Countryside Projects Officer (20%)• 3 Countryside Rangers• 3 Rights of Way Rangers(Practical Team)Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC isresponsible for the day-to-daymanagement of the public rights ofway network. The duties include thecontinual review of the definitivemap through the processing ofOut & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

applications for modification orders,diversion orders, extinguishmentorders and creation orders.The Council currently has threeagency agreements with CommunityCouncils, which allow them to carryout basic maintenance works for anannual payment by the Council.There is also an agency agreementwith Brecon Beacons National Parkthat allows them to carry outmaintenance works, and to carry outdiversions and other legal orders onbehalf of the Council.PublicityLimited publicity and promotion ofrights of way and open access hasbeen carried out in Rhondda CynonTaf. Recent events such as a WalkingFestival, and the creation of acircular walk around Pontypridd, arebeing encouraged to raise the profileof the public rights of way inRhondda Cynon Taf. Promotion hasalso been undertaken by otherorganisations, for example, Walkingthe Way to Health, GroundworkLoops and Links project and theLlantrisant Bunny Walks.Open Access LandThe Countryside and Rights of Way Act2000 created a new statutory right ofaccess on foot to certain types of opencountryside. This land comprisesmountain (over 600 metres),moorland, heath, down and registeredcommon land. On 28th May 2005, theAct made these designated areas opento public use. Temporary closures arepermitted, subject to a specificprocedure. Maps showing thedesignated areas of public access arelocated in the Council’s CountrysideSection, and information is alsoavailable on the Countryside Councilfor Wales’ website (www.ccw.gov.uk).All relevant updated information,including any restrictions, can befound on this website. The openaccess land is also shown on theOrdnance Survey Explorer series.There are 4865 hectares of openaccess land found in Rhondda CynonTaf. Map Seven includes these areas.Forestry Commission Wales landAt the launch of open access in Wales,the Forestry Commission dedicated alltheir own land for public access.Forest on leased land has not beenClaimed Rights of Waysdedicated though there are plans toUnder Section 53 of the Wildlife and dedicate many of these areas. There isCountryside Act 1981, anyone may 5197 hectares of dedicated forestryapply to the Council to add a right of open access land within Rhonddaway to, or delete from the definitive Cynon Taf. Map Seven includes thesemap and statement. An application areas.can also be made to upgrade or In Rhondda Cynon Taf a number ofdowngrade a right of way already rights of way cross Forestryshown on the map and statement. Commission land. For a number ofThe majority of applications are to years the Forestry Commission hasadd rights of way to the map, the over planted trees on their land thatpresumption being that they exist but contain rights of ways and this hashave not previously been recorded. resulted in a high percentage of themThe Council has a duty to fully being obstructed, though the forestinvestigate the claims, to uncover tracks provide alternative access.evidence to support or reject the Negotiations are currently being heldapplication made under the above with the Forestry Commission WalesAct.regarding the plans to reopen rights of19Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

way on their land after harvesting.Horse riding and carriage driving arepermitted on Forestry CommissionWales land, but again not necessarilyon leased land, for example StGwynno’s Forest. Cycling andmountain biking is allowed on forestryroads and tracks. A copy of theForestry Commissions Cycle Code canbe seen on their website(www.forestry.gov.uk/recreation).Members of the public must be awarethat forests are a working environmentand that diversions to roads and tracksmay be required.Permissive access is also available onland in private ownership, particularlywhere the landowner is involved ingrant schemes such as the WoodlandGrant Scheme/ Better Woodlands forWales and Tir Gofal. Under theseschemes public access alongpermissive routes is provided underthe terms of the grant scheme, but onlyfor the duration of the scheme inquestion. These routes are notincluded on Map 7. Tir Gofalpermissive access routes and accessland are publicised on the CCWwebsite (www.ccw.gov.uk).20Council-owned land including KeyCountryside Sites, Local NatureReserves, Country Parks and PublicParksThe majority of Council owned land isavailable for public access on foot.Key Countryside Sites provide 1280hectares of land available for publicaccess, (including Glyncornel LocalNature Reserve, 36 hectares, and DareValley Country Park, 176 hectares).There are a number of public parks inthe area with Aberdare Park, Aberdareand Ynysangharad Park, Pontypriddhaving the highest profile. Some KeyCountryside Sites are former spoil tipsthat have been reclaimed by theCouncil, however, some former tipshave no public access due to healthand safety issues. Map Seven onlyincludes the areas with public access.Permissive PathsA number of disused railway linesowned by the Council are managedfor public access and are included onMap 7. The surface of the routes varies.Routes are generally open topedestrians and cyclists, with someroutes shared by horses. The Taff Trailand the Dare Aman Line in the CynonValley are prime examples ofpermissive access on Council ownedland.Highway NetworkRhondda Cynon Taf is responsible forall maintainable highways in the area.This responsibility includes all mainroads and footways adjacent tohighways in the County Boroughshown on the list of streets. The list ofstreets records the highways that aHighway Authority is liable tomaintain at public expense, and is amandatory requirement.Adopted highways form an importantconnection between the communityand the surrounding countryside. Forthe majority of people, the adoptedhighway will form a part of anyjourney into the countryside or toreach any form of countryside access.The Assessment identified a specificconcern that some highways, that linkto public rights of way, are of uncertainlegal status.A number of public rights of way havebecome adopted highways, typicallythrough the development of housingestates. These now follow metalledroads forming part of the highwaynetwork.The Council has a duty to signpost allfootpaths, bridleways and bywaysfound on the definitive map andstatement where they leave themetalled road.Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Map Seven: The Access NetworkHirwaunAberdareAberamanTreherbertMaerdyAbercwmboiMountain AshTreorchyFerndaleTonypandyPorthPontypriddTonyrefailChurch VillageLlanharanBrynnaBeddauLlantrisantLlantwit FardrePontyclunReproduced from the Ordnance Survey Mapping withthe permission of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (C)Key:Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringesPublic Rights of WayCrown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civilproceedings. Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC Licence No.Access Area10002345821Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

6. Assessment and Evaluation22The Assessment, Issues Paper and theirassociated consultations haveidentified a range of issues to beaddressed by the Rights of WayImprovement Plan. This chapter drawstogether this information, and presentsa framework of six objectives for theaction plan.The VisionTo manage, develop and promote thenetwork of local public rights of wayand other countryside access, in orderto satisfy present and likely futuredemand for the enjoyment of thecountryside, open-air recreation,exercise and ‘access for all’.Objective 1:Promote outdoor countryside activityfor health, regeneration, tourism andrecreation.Health, regeneration, tourism andrecreation are all policy priorities forthe Welsh Assembly Government andfor the Council. The Assessment hasidentified that Rhondda Cynon Taf hasa superb resource for outdoorcountryside activity in the rights ofway network, our Parks and KeyCountryside sites and the new OpenAccess land. This resource has hugepotential both for local people to use,free of charge, and as a driver forregeneration and tourism. But it is alsoa well-kept secret. The resource isunderused, with little promotion orpublicity and currently has a lowpriority for investment anddevelopment.General health standards in RhonddaCynon Taf are below the average forWales. The Active Living Partnership,set up by the Health and WellbeingPartnership (under the Rhondda CynonTaf Community Plan ‘A Better Life’)looks at promoting physical activity forsocial, mental and physical health andwellbeing. Not forgetting the benefitsof fun and relaxation!The Welsh Assembly Government hastargets in ‘Climbing Higher’, theirstrategy for sport and physical activity.These include;• access to a footpath or cycle pathwithin a ten-minute walk, for 95% ofthe population, and• for everyone to live within a sixminute walk (300m) of a naturalgreen space.By these measures, which consider theavailability of the access resource, it islikely that most residents of RhonddaCynon Taf are already very well served.The Assembly has also set a target forthe use of the access resource;• Percentage of people using thenatural environment for outdooractivities to rise from 36% to 60%.A question ‘Do you use thecountryside or parks for outdooractivities?’ was included in theCouncil’s 2006 Residents’ Survey toestablish a baseline figure for thisindicator. A total of 68.8% ofrespondents reported that they use thecountryside and parks for outdooractivities. The survey is repeated at twoyearly intervals and a repeat of thequestion will be requested in 2010.Regeneration and tourism promotionare key elements of the CommunityPlan and are being addressed throughArea Regeneration Partnerships,Communities First, the LocalDevelopment Plan and the TourismStrategy. The access network is anexcellent resource for environmentaltourism, providing access to dramaticscenery, stunning wildlife, historiclandscapes and visitor attractions.Again the potential is largelyuntapped. With unemployment andeconomic inactivity above the nationalaverage, our countryside and diverselandscape should be utilised as aresource for regeneration.Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Objective 2:Promote walking and cycling astransport options.Climate change is a global issue thatneeds to be tackled at every level. Thepromotion of walking and cycling assustainable transport options cancontribute to this, linked with thelocation of facilities and services inplaces that people can reach withoutdriving. The Regional Transport Plan(RTP) and the Local Development Plan(LDP) will be the key Council policydocuments to tackle these issues. Theaccess network is an important part ofthe integrated highway network. 18%of the people who responded to thepublic consultation use the accessnetwork to get from A to B. Makingthe walking or cycling experienceeasier and more enjoyable will beimportant in changing people’sattitudes to transport choices.Active commuting is a key theme forthe Active Living Partnership, asregular exercise as part of the dailyroutine is central to a healthy lifestyle.Improving access to services andfacilities for those without a car is alsoa key policy for social inclusion. This isparticularly relevant for children, somedisabled people and for older peoplewho may rely on the access networkfor independent travel.Improved and targeted publicity andpromotion of walking and cyclingopportunities will be important for theachievement of this objective.Objective 3:Protect the access resource (includingPublic Rights of Way, highways, accessland and Council facilities).The Assessment identified the natureand extent of the access resource andsome of the pressures on it. The lawrequires the Local Highway Authorityto undertake a range of specific dutiesto protect and manage the Rights ofWay Network. Further duties are beingintroduced as the Countryside andRights of Way Act 2000, NaturalEnvironment and Rural CommunitiesAct 2006 and the CleanNeighbourhood Act 2006 areimplemented. The resources currentlyavailable are insufficient to adequatelyaddress all of these issues.The Council will include policies inthe Local Development Plan relatingto the protection of Public Rights ofWay, open access and recreation sites.The Regional Transport Plan will alsocontain policies regarding the accessresource.Managing the network involves jointworking with the Council’s highwaymanagers, development control andlegal officers as well as practical workon the ground. Joint working withother major landowners, such as theForestry Commission Wales is alsoimportant.Protection also embraces issues suchas rubbish dumping and anti-socialbehaviour that can damage theresource as well as deterring users.Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf23

Objective 4:Improve provision for walkers,cyclists, horse riders, off road vehiclesand users with mobility and sensorydisabilities.The survey of the definitive map andother access opportunities to producethe total access map has highlightedclear gaps in the network for specificuser groups. The results of the publicconsultation also support thisconclusion. There is a lack ofbridleways and byways in most of theCounty Borough and there is demandfor additional facilities for horse-riders,off-road vehicles and cyclists. It is notknown if additional facilities arerequired for carriage drivers. TheCommunity Plan supports the need toprovide opportunities for people. Offroadmotor biking is a popular activitythroughout the County Borough.Unfortunately most current activity isillegal, the physical scars are clear onthe landscape and public support islow. There is little legal provision andthe communication between the usergroup, the Police and the generalpublic, is poor. Through theCommunity Safety Partnership an OffRoad Motorcycle Coordinator hasbeen employed and the Off-RoadMotorcycle Steering Group has beenset up.There is a growing number of Accessfor All routes across the CountyBorough with improved accessopportunities for those with mobilitydifficulties. To meet the requirementsof the Disability Discrimination Act,and to promote social inclusion,further work is required. The publicconsultation results showed that thepublic support this action.As part of the Local DevelopmentPlan, the Local Transport Plan andsome major development schemes,integrated community routes are beingincorporated with future developmentsto improve the access provision.Opportunities may arise for improvedprovision in association with fundingopportunities. A current example isthe development of the Cynon Trail inassociation with the Heads of theValleys environmental programme.Continued maintenance of the pathnetwork and, in particular, theupdating, of the definitive map(objective 6) are important for thecontinuing improvement of the rightsof way network.24Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Objective 5:Involve local community andvoluntary organisations in thedevelopment, promotion and use ofaccess opportunities.The public consultation and theAssessment, identified a number ofissues relating to publicity andpromotion. In consultations with AreaRegeneration Partnerships,Communities First and CommunityCouncils the importance of grassrootsparticipation was recognised. Accessis a popular local issue and manycommunities are taking actionsforward to improve access. Publicityand promotion developed for specificaudiences is also likely to be moresuccessful.User groups are able to contribute tothe discussion about access via theLocal Access Forum, but the responseto the Out & About consultations hasbeen disappointing. New ways ofworking with user groups are beinginvestigated as a result. Localmembership of user groups such as theRamblers, BHS, CTC etc. is probablyquite small, however there are adiverse range of local voluntary andcommunity groups who may have aninterest in access matters. The BritishHorse Society has recently establisheda bridleways group and a bridlewaysofficer in Rhondda Cynon Taf.Encouraging community and voluntaryparticipation is also seen as a way ofreaching people who don’t currentlyuse the access resource and toinvestigate barriers to use and thepotential to realise latent demand.Among the public at large, knowledgeof Rights of Way and open access islow. The Library Service will beinvolved in developing theseopportunities.Objective 6:Develop a more efficient officemanagement system for statutoryRights of Way work including theDefinitive Map.The Issues Paper, the Assessment andthe consultation responses highlightedthe need for improvement of the officemanagement systems for Rights of Waywork. The Definitive Map andStatement and the computerisedmapping system were identified aspriorities. Paper based systems,developed in the 1950’s, must bereplaced by modern computersystems. An up to date definitive mapand efficient data management areessential to progress all the otherobjectives.The Countryside and Rights of Way Act2000, includes a number of newstatutory functions to be carried out toimprove public information andaddress internal procedures.The Welsh Assembly government’s’Climbing Higher’ environmentaltargets have been identified asindicators for this Action Plan.Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf25

7. Actions7.1 Statement of ActionThis section focuses on the proposed actions. First the aim and objectives arelisted. For each objective, the actions are described and each is classified as aservice action (strategic or routine) or a project (existing or new). This isfollowed by a tabular summary including; resources, timetabling, leadorganisation and partners.ss – Strategic Servicers – Routine Serviceep – Existing Projectnp – New Project* – Statutory dutyEstimated Costs£ ~ less than £5000££ ~ £5000 - £30000£££ ~ more than £30,000c currenta additionalCAP – project included in the Countryside Action ProgrammeAimTo manage, develop and promote the network oflocal public rights of way and other countrysideaccess, in order to satisfy present and likely futuredemand for the enjoyment of the countryside, openairrecreation, exercise and ‘access for all’.26Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

ObjectivesObjective 1:Promote outdoor countryside activityfor health, regeneration, tourism andrecreationObjective 2:Promote walking and cycling astransport optionsObjective 3Protect the access resource (includingPROW, highways, access land andCouncil facilities)Objective 4:Improve provision for walkers, cyclists,horse riders, off road vehicles andusers with disabilitiesObjective 5:Involve local community and voluntaryorganisations in the development,promotion and use of access opportunitiesObjective 6:Develop a more efficient officemanagement system for statutoryRights of Way work including theDefinitive MapOut & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf27

Objective 1: Promote outdoor countryside activity for health, regeneration,tourism and recreation.Strategic Service ActionsInput to ActiveLivingPartnershipDevelop linkswith EducationInput toCouncil’sTourismStrategy InvolvelibrariesPartnership set up under the Community Strategy Health and Wellbeing Partnership topromote physical activity, meets 4 times a year and aims to add value through jointworking.A twice-yearly meeting is proposed, to consider the use of the local countryside by schoolsfor curriculum study/activity and informal learning such as sports clubs or Duke ofEdinburgh award.A twice-yearly meeting with Council Tourism Officers is proposed to develop thepotential of walking, cycling and horse riding tourism. The Council’s library serviceprovides information about access and local walking opportunities. It is also amechanism for communicating with local people. There is potential to use this resourcemore effectively. Quarterly meetings with the library service are proposed.MarketingLiaise withNeighboursThe new marketing officer for Leisure, Parks and Countryside will co ordinate the promotionof Rights of Way and Open Access, alongside other services. A marketing strategy should bea priority.The Living Space Action Programme provides a mechanism for identifying joint projects. Thetwice-yearly meeting of the SE Wales Rights of Way officers will address cross-border issues.Existing ProjectsWalking theWay 2 Health(CAP) / WalkingWalesValleys WalkingFestival (CAP)Loops and Links(CAP)School NatureTrailsTen projects in Communities First Partnerships were funded to Dec 2006. These shouldcontinue, utilising the trained walk leaders and risk assessed walking routes developedas part of the project.Walking is a feature of the PALS and STARs projects. Various family learning projectsinclude walking and cycling for health. Walking Wales grant funding is available for theperiod 2007-10.The Festival was established in 2005 and aims to promote walking for local people andvisitors. Groundwork project to link valley communities and promote regenerationthrough activity tourism. 1st phase in the north complete, 2nd phase in the south of theCounty is being developed.Developing nature trails in conjunction with the Local Biodiversity Action Plan usingKey Countryside Sites and public rights of way.Mentro AllanGuided walksJoint projectsLeafletsNew ProjectsProvide on-lineinformationCircular routesFacilitiesPublic TransportLottery funding stream for countryside access targeted at disadvantaged groups in partsof Rhondda Cynon Taf.Existing programmes of Ramblers Groups, including short stepping stones walks,biodiversity walks etc. Also Bike events (CAP). Potential for development.Promote long distance routes (CAP), Pontypridd Circular Walk (CAP). For example,Ramblers Bunny Walks, Daerwynno cycle paths.Walking, cycling, horse riding, access for all and off road vehicles via the internet.Develop and promote new circular / linear routes for a variety of target audiences. E.g.Area 8 walk, Area 7 walk.Dare Valley visitor centre facilities, equestrian tourism (CAP), Cross border horse routes,Bwllfa project (CAP), Bike hire.Working with providers on promotion and improved links. Including disabled accessand social inclusion. Public transport map.Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Objective 1: Promote outdoor countryside activity for health,regeneration, tourism and recreation.No Type Action Resources Year Lead and Partners1 ss Active Living people c From 2006 Countryside/ ALP2 ss Education people c From 2007 Countryside / Education3 ss Tourism Strategy people c From 2007 Countryside / Tourism4 ss Libraries people c From 2007 Countryside / Libraries5 ss Marketing people££c/a6 ss Liaise withneighbours7 ep Walking theWay 2 Health /Walking Wales8 ep Valleys WalkingFestivalpeople cFrom 2007 Leisure, Parks +CountrysideFrom 2007 Countryside / SE WalesROWOpeople c/a 2006 Countryside / LHB / CF/SCWpeople c9 ep Loops and Links people££c/a10 ep School NatureTrailspeople c/a11 ep Mentro Allan people££a12 ep Guided walksand bike ridesFrom 2005 Countryside / Tourism2006-9 Countryside /GroundworkFrom 2006 Countryside / Schools2007- 2010 ALP/ Sustranspeople c/a ongoing Ramblers/ Glyncorneletc.13 ep Joint Projects people c ongoing Bridgend, NPT,Countryside14 ep Leaflets people£ c/a15 np Provide on-lineinformation16 np Circular routesand database17 np Visitor facilities(new andimproved)people £ apeople£ a18 np Public transport people£ c/aongoingVoluntary organisationsFrom 2007 Countryside / ITFrom 2007 Countryside / IT / AreaRegenerationPartnerships£££ a From 2007 CountrysideFrom 2007 Countryside / VoluntarySector/ Transportation/operatorsOut & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf29

Objective 2: Promote walking and cycling as transport options.Strategic Service ActionsDevelop LinkswithTransportationRegionalCycling StrategyRegional Transport Plan for SE Wales is being prepared. Input to provide integratedaccess information. Initially a twice yearly meeting is proposed.Input to the Regional Cycling Strategy will be progressed through the twice-yearlymeetings with Transportation. This is an important bidding document for Assembly andother funding.Input to LocalDevelopmentPlanActive TravelThe Local Development Plan (LDP) will contain policies for the development andconservation of land and will include a map of land use allocations. It is due to beadopted and replace the existing land-use plans (Structure Plan and Local Plans) in2009. The Countryside Section will provide input via the officer working group and theStrategic Environmental Assessment/ Sustainability Appraisal working group. The LivingSpace partnership will also provide input to the process. The LDP should locatedevelopment to maximise walking and cycling opportunities, identify new strategicroutes and provide for routes in new development.Active Living Partnership task group on Active Travel.Existing ProjectsSafe routes toschool (CAP)Improvementsto the NationalCycle Network(CAP)Cynon Trail(CAP)Each year the transportation section bids for funding from the Assembly for specificschools (Liaison via meetings as proposed above).Pontypridd – Funding has been allocated for the off road routes for the Taff Trail (no.8)and the Celtic Trail (no.4) through Pontypridd. Abercynon to Cilfynydd- Sustrans hasobjective one funding for an off road alternative to the current Taff Trail road route. ParcEirin to Blackmill – Sustrans has objective one funding for an off road alternative to thecurrent Celtic Trail on road route.Heads of the Valleys funding for works to the Cynon Trail and community links,available 2006/7 and 7/8. Gaps remain to be filled.New ProjectsTargetedpromotionNewCommunityRoutesTargeted promotion for example pedestrian signposting in town centres, accessopportunities to/from public transport.Links with National Cycle Network, includingTaff Trail links (CAP).University of Glamorgan cyclepath.Porth Bypass Community Route.Church Village Bypass Community Route.Rhondda Community routes (CAP).Heads of the Valleys Cyclepath (CAP).Coedely to Talbot Green (CAP).Porth to Maerdy (CAP).Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Objective 2: Promote walking and cycling as transport options.No Type Action Resources Year Lead and Partners1 ss Links withTransportation2 ss Regional CyclingStrategy3 ss LocalDevelopment Planpeople c From 2007 Countryside /Transportationpeople c From 2007 Countryside /Transportationpeople c 2006-9 Countryside/Development Plans4 ss Active Travel people c From 2007 Active LivingPartnership5 ep Safe routes toschoolpeople c From 2007 Transportation6 ep National CycleNetwork (NCN):Pontypridd7 ep NCN Abercynon -Cilfynydd8 ep NCN Parc Eirin toBlackmill9 ep Cynon Trail andlinks (somefunding availablefrom Heads of theValley Strategy)10 np Targetedpromotion11 np New communityroutes: Taff TrailLinks12 np Porth bypasscommunity route13 np University ofGlamorgancommunity route14 np Church Villagebypasscommunity route15 np RhonddaCommunity Routes16 np Heads of theValleys cycle path£££ c/a 2007 Transportation /Countryside / Sustrans£££ c/a 2007 Transportation /Countryside / Sustrans£££ c/a 2007 Transportation /Countryside / Sustrans£££ c/a 2007/8 Countryside /Groundwork££ c/a From 2007 Countryside/Transportation/££ c/a 2007 Countryside / Sustrans£££ c/a 2007/8 Sustrans /Transportation£££ a 2008/9 ? Sustrans / Highways£££ a ?2009/10 Sustrans /Transportation£££ a ? Countryside /Transportation£££ a ? 2010 Countryside/Transportation3117 np Coedely to Talbot £££ a ? Countryside /Land Rec/Green cycle pathTransportation18 np Porth to Maerdy £££ a ? Sustrans/ CountrysideOut & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Objective 3: Protect the access resource, including Public Rights of Way, highways, accessland and Council facilities.Strategic Service ActionsInput to LocalDevelopmentPlan policiesPolicies should ensure that development does not compromise the current accessprovision, improved and integrated access provision for new development is providedincluding signage, furniture and access for all. Input via meetings as described underObjective 2.Input toRegionalTransport PlanIntegratedhighway andpedestriannetworkForestryCommissionWales landLost WaysPolicies and proposals to promote walking and cycling. Input via meetings as describedunder Objective 2. Liaison with Highways section via twice a year meetings proposed toconsider: highways of uncertain status, structures, policy and resources and a consistentapproach to enforcement. Consider the dedication of permissive routes where Councilland is being considered for sale. Barriers to access: major roads, rivers, railways.Identify problem locations and potential solutions.Remove obstructions caused by tree planting through the FCW felling and restockprogramme in their Forest Design Plans. Prioritise work on obstructed routes throughleased FCW land (not dedicated as open access land). Promote access on foot to allFCW forests (CAP). Management agreements for FCW land for sale (CAP).Under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, paths in existence prior to 1949 but notshown on the definitive map and statement will be lost if an application to register thepaths is not made before 2026. A proactive approach to identifying these will berequired to ensure rights are not lost.Routine Service Actions (*See Appendix 4 for list of statutory duties and powers.)Public Rights ofWayEnforcement *Changes to thePublic Rights ofWay Network *Maintenanceandimprovement ofPublic Rights ofWay*The duties and powers for the Council to remove unlawful obstructions, crops andovergrowth and to protect the surface of paths from disturbance. C.f. obj. Six protocolsfor routine works.The legislation by which Rhondda Cynon Taf’ s PROW network can be legally altered.Includes dealing with claimed rights of way, where an application has been made toadd unregistered paths to the Council’s Definitive Map and Statement and applicationsto divert or extinguish paths.The Council has a duty to signpost and maintain the surface of paths contained on theDefinitive Map and Statement. The Council also have powers to improve PROW e.g.erect barriers, fencing and to construct footbridges. It is legally the responsibility oflandowners to replace and maintain stiles and kissing gates.PermissiveRoutesKeyCountrysideSitesNew ProjectsInformationleaflet forlandowners.Management of Taff Trail, acquire Rockwood section (CAP).Management of Key Countryside Sites (CAP).Useful for Rangers, especially when dealing with routes that have been obstructed.Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Objective 3: Protect the access resource, including Public Rights ofWay, highways, access land and Council facilities.No Type Action Resources Year Lead and Partners1 ss LocalDevelopmentPlan policies2 ss RegionalTransport Planpeople c 2006-9 Countryside /Development Planspeople c From 2007 Countryside /Transportation3 ss IntegratedHighway andPedestrianNetworkpeople£££ c/aFrom 2007 Countryside /Highways / Legal4 ss ForestryCommissionWales landpeople,£££ c/aongoingCountryside /FCW5 ss Lost Ways people££ aBy 2026 Countryside / LAF /Users6 rs PROWEnforcementpeople c ongoing Countryside / Legal7 rs PROW Changesto Networkpeople££ /aongoingCountryside8 rs Maintenance andImprovementspeople££ congoingCountryside9 rs Claimed rights ofwaypeople c/a ongoing Countryside / Legal10 rs Permissive routes people££ c/aongoingCountryside / Legal/Property11 rs Key CountrysideSitespeople££ congoingCountryside12 np Information leafletfor landownerspeople£ c2007/8 Countryside / LegalOut & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf33

Objective 4: Improve provision for walkers, cyclists, horse riders, off road vehiclesand users with disabilities.Strategic Service ActionsIdentifypotentialimprovementand creationprojectsStrategic pathimprovementworksTackling wasteand anti-socialbehaviourJoint workingwith theMotorbikeLiaison OfficerDevelop andimprove linksImprove Accessfor All routesAccessiblenatural greenspaceRoutine ServicePath worksExisting ProjectsNew ProjectsVarious horseprojectsCycle projectsIdentify gaps in the current network for specific user groups. Identifying priorities andfunding opportunities for improvements and future maintenance (incl. routes, surfaceand furniture). Prioritise improvements where access is poor. Connecting routes andsignage to other access opportunities. Develop communication with user groups (seeObjective 5 below).Protocol for developing the annual work programme to be implemented by interestedorganisations. This would involve the Countryside Section, Community Councils,Groundwork and Forestry Commission Wales (FCW) and Sustrans.Litter, flytipping, arson, dog fouling, car dumping etc. Joint working with the Council’sWaste Services, enforcement, the police, Territorial Army, Keep Wales Tidy and others isproposed. Twice yearly meetings proposed if no existing mechanism is available.The Council has appointed a Motorbike Liaison Officer and established the Off RoadMotorbike Steering Group to promote enforcement, tackle illegal activity and developprovision for legal off road motorcycling. Countryside is represented on the group.Prioritise links to access land, across access land and dedicated FCW open access land.Promote and improve links to cyclepath network. Promote and improve communitylinks, including public transport.Develop access for all protocol, including access for mobility and sensory disabilityaccess. Survey network accessibility and map potential routes. Prioritise disabled accessimprovements in and around popular countryside sites.Work with CCW, Development Plans and their consultants to identify accessible naturalgreen space in Rhondda Cynon Taf. This will build on the work undertaken for theAssessment (2006).Signpost and waymark footpaths, bridleways and byways.* Continue reactive pathimprovement works. Warranted enforcement. Management of disused railway linesowned by Sustrans (CAP). Facilities for dog walkers.Progress National Cycle Network (CAP).Mid Fach access improvements (CAP).Horse riding concordat with BHS on FCW land.Ynysybwl bus and cycle trailer, Beacons Bus.BHS Wales bridle route (CAP).BHS develop riding routes Creigiau to Tonteg, Pontypridd to Nantgarw (CAP), FforestFawr-Walnut Tree.SAFE horse route Pontyclun (CAP).Mountain bike ring way (CAP).Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Objective 4: Improve provision for walkers, cyclists, horse riders, off roadvehicles and users with disabilities.No Type Action Resources Year Lead and Partners1 ss Identify potentialimprovement andcreation projectspeople c/a From 2006 Countryside,Community Councils,Groundwork2 ss Strategic pathimprovementworks3 ss Tackling wasteand anti-socialbehaviour4 ss Joint working withthe MotorbikeLiaison Officer5 ss Develop andimprove linkspeople£ c/aon going Countryside ,Community Councils(CCs) Groundworkpeople c/a From 2007 KWT, Waste, Police,Countryside,enforcementpeople c on going Countryside, Off RoadSteering Group,Enforcementpeople ££c/a6 ss Access for All people£££ c/a7 ss Accessible naturalgreenspacepeople ££c/a8 rs Pathworks people ££c/a9 ep National CycleNetwork10 ep Mid Fach accessimprovements11 ep Horse ridingconcordat onFCW landpeople£££ c/aFrom 2007 Countryside, FCW,Transportation, Com.Councils, ARPs, CF,Sustranson goingCountryside, disabilitygroupsFrom 2007 CCW/ Countryside /Development Planson goingon goingCountryside,Community Councils,Sustranspeople £ c on going Mid Fach / Countrysidepeople c on going FCW / BHS12 ep Bike bus ?£ c on going Bus operators /transportation13 np BHS/ SAFEvarious horseroute projects14 np Mountain bikeringwaypeople c ? BHS / SAFE££ a ? Countryside / FCWOut & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf35

Objective 5: Involve local community and voluntary organisations in the development,promotion and use of access opportunities.Strategic Service ActionsWiderCommunicationProduce and distribute a general leaflet abouts Rights of Way and Open Access.Develop links with Area Regeneration Partnerships.Develop links with Communities First Partnerships.Develop links with Community Councils.Utilise the Library Service (see Objective One above).Support theLocal AccessForum*Voluntary andcommunityparticipationSurveysContinue to support and develop the LAF.Develop topic sub groups.Consult with BBNP LAF.Provide opportunities for voluntary and, through community existing channels forexample Older People’s Forums. Seek input from disability groups and transportorganisations.Develop links with organisations like the Ramblers, British Horse Society and Sustrans.Develop a volunteer group to survey Public Rights of Way. Investigate potential forGroups to ‘adopt’ specific routes or sites.Establish levels of use of paths, parks, forests, open access etc. possibly in conjunctionwith the University and schoolsRoutine ServiceAgencyagreementsConsultationsPublic eventsWith Community Councils and BBNP (CAP). Changes to the definitive map.Consultations with landowners re path works etc..Provision of information and advice at public events.Existing ProjectsCircular walksTourismprojectsHealthSurveysCountrysideArea 8 walk route. Area 7 walk route.Pontypridd Circular Walk.Penrhys tourism projects including the Cistersian Way (CAP).Valleys Walking Festival.Walking the Way to Health / Let’s Walk Cymru projects.Ramblers currently surveying all OS grid squares across Wales, BHS headcount ofhorses and riders in RCT.Cefn Pennar Countryside projects (CAP).New ProjectsHorse leafletsTourismWalksBHS proposals for a folder of horse ride leaflets (CAP).Destination marketing for Arriva Trains (CAP).Ynysmaerdy Community Centre walk.Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Objective 5: Involve local community and voluntary organisations in thedevelopment, promotion and use of access opportunities.No Type Action Resources Year Lead and Partners1 ss Widercommunicationpeople£ c/aFrom 2006 Countryside/ ARPs/CFs/ CCs/ LAF/ BBNP2 ss Local AccessForumpeople cFrom 2005 Countryside3 ss Voluntary andcommunityparticipationpeople c/a From 2006 Countryside /Interlink / ARP4 ss Surveys people££ c/aFrom 2007 Countryside / Ramblers/ Sustrans5 rs Agencyagreementspeople £ c ongoing Countryside Legal6 rs Consultations people£ c/aongoingCountryside7 rs Public events people c/a ongoing Countryside8 ep Circular walks people££ c/aongoingCountryside / ARPs9 ep Tourism projects people£££ c/aongoing Penrhys Partnership /Valleys Tourism /Countryside10 ep Health people££ c/aongoingWW2H, CF, LHB, SCW11 ep Surveys people c By 2007 Ramblers / BHS12 ep Cefn PennarCountrysideprojectspeople c/a ongoing Cefn PennarCommunity13 np Horse leaflets people c/a ? BHS14 np Tourism marketingfor Arriva Trainspeople£ cFrom 2006 Arriva Trains15 np Walks people £c/aFrom 2007 Sports developmentOut & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf37

Objective 6: Develop a more efficient office management system for statutory Rights ofWay, including the Definitive Map.Strategic Service ActionsDefinitive MapOfficerComputersoftware andTechnicalsupportObtain funding and appoint a Definitive Map officer, by 2007-8, est cost £30k/yr. TheDefinitive Map review* cannot be undertaken with current staff resources, an additionalpermanent, qualified member of staff is required.Investigate and purchase appropriate computer software for Rights of Way management.CAMS Countryside Access Management System or MAYRISE highways systems areunder investigation.Technical support will be required to operate the system. Develop and implement astructured programme for data migration to the new system, for analysis and to informfuture work programmes.Update theDefinitive Map*Taff Ely Area, Rhondda Valleys, Cynon ValleyThis would include the legal paper version of the map and statement and thecomputerised Geographic Information System map and new management database.(CAP) This would include a review of path anomalies and proposals to deal with them.Appendix 4 gives details of statutory duties.Internet accessAim for internet access to rights of way information, including the definitive map, andfor reporting problems.NAW ‘ClimbingHigher’environmenttargetsInvestigate how and then calculate National Assembly for Wales’ environmental targetsin ‘Climbing Higher’ for Rhondda Cynon Taf. This is being progressed by theCountryside section in conjunction with the Assembly, the Active Living Partnership,Forward Plans and the Council’s residents’ survey.Routine ServiceProtocols forroutine tasksS. 106agreementsNew dutiesTrain call centre staff re Rights of Way / Open Access / Highways / pavements etc..Establish and implement protocols for logging and monitoring progress for claims,diversions, obstructions, updating OS maps etc.. Develop and implement protocols forcomments on planning applications and for land charges searches. Provide informationfor developers regarding public rights of way. Establish joint working protocols withHighways. Tackle the backlog of modification orders.*Develop a proforma for S106 agreements relating to planning applications for newdevelopment.Establish timetables and protocols to implement new duties arising from legislation suchas the CROW Act, Clean Neighbourhoods Act and Natural Environment and RuralCommunities Act.Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Objective 6: Develop a more efficient office management system forstatutory Rights of Way, including the Definitive Map.No Type Action Resources Year Lead and Partners1 ss Obtain fundingand appointDefinitive MapOfficer££ a 2007 - 08 Countryside2 ss Computersoftware andtechnical support3 ss Develop andimplement astructuredprogramme fordata migration4 ss Update theDefinitive MapTaff Ely Area5 ss Update theDefinitive MapRhondda Valleys6 ss Update theDefinitive MapCynon Valleypeople ££apeople ££a7 ss Internet access people££ a8 ss NAW ClimbingHigherenvironmenttargets9 rs Protocols forroutine tasks10 rs Proforma for S106agreements2007 - 08 Countryside2008 - 10 Countrysidepeople a 2009 Countryside / Legalpeople a 2011 Countryside / Legalpeople a 2013 Countryside / Legalpeople£ c/apeople£ c/aCountryside / IT2007 Countryside / WAG /ALP / LDP / ResidentsSurvey2007 Countryside /Customer services /Legal / Highwayspeople a 2008 Countryside / Legal /DC11 rs New duties people£ a2008 Countryside / LegalOut & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf39

8. ImplementationThe Improvement Plan providesactions that are aimed at increasingpublic benefits through accessimprovements. Many of theseactions however are clearly beyondthe existing Countryside Sectionsmall budget management forprimarily recreation purposes. Muchtime and funding will be required todeliver many of the actions. Thereare however, some actions that canbe delivered within a shortertimescale, and within currentresources. These actions will be theones that can be delivered by theCountryside Section soonest, as theirimplementation does not rely on thesuccessful outcome of any bid foradditional funding.Other providers of Countrysideaccess have been encouraged tocontribute to the Improvement Planand be guided by this plan. Therealisation of related and partnershipwork by other Council departmentsand organisations such asGroundwork Merthyr, RhonddaCynon Taf and Sustrans will alsofulfil substantial access networkbenefit. Once again theseorganisations are not bound by theactions in this plan. Reliance onadditional funding is still a crucialfactor.The proposed Valleys Regional Parkmay provide opportunities forenhanced regional working acrossthe South Wales coalfield includingmatters covered by Out & About.The implementation of certainactions will be more visible andrecognisable to public users ofaccess facilities in Rhondda CynonTaf. For example, more signposting,provision of new kissing gates, bettermaintenance, provision of access forall and supply of information willprovide more immediate benefit andpublic feedback than Definitive Mapwork and collection of furtherinformation on use and demand.Definitive Map work is however stillcrucial to the longer term realisationof public rights of way overallnetwork improvements as explainedpreviously. Work on the DefinitiveMap is costly in terms of officer timeand requires complex legalprocedures to carry out a review.These actions will take the longest tocomplete as the existing maps willhave to be reviewed over a numberof years. The cut off date of 2026introduced by the CROW Act 2000for new path claims may appear adistant date at present but progressso far has been slow due to otherdemands on the ground. Theappointment of a new DefinitiveMap officer in 2007 is likely to beone of the first major actionsidentified in the Improvement Planmaking process to be implementedin advance of the Full Plan.40Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Prioritisation of actions is thereforecrucially important and this will beundertaken to a certain degree aspart of the Plan process throughconsultation with key stakeholdersand the Local Access Forum.Similarly it must be recognised thatwhilst the actions give direction theycannot anticipate unplannedopportunities or change incircumstances. They should nottherefore be allowed to overridesuch new elements as they arise.The Council is under no statutoryduty to implement the contents ofthis action statement. Theachievement of maintainablebenefits beyond existing activitiesand funding, therefore needs to beflexible. A flexible approach linkedto the annual Parks and CountrysideBusiness Plan processes andappraisals rather than a specificBusiness Plan is consideredappropriate. The statement of actionand other initiatives will beconsidered when producing theseannual plans.An implementation document hasbeen prepared identifying whichCouncil officer is responsible forprogressing each action. This will belinked to the Section’s annualbusiness plan and to fundingopportunities such as the CCWPartnership Programme.Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf41

9. Monitoring and ReportingThis Action Plan covers the period to2007-2017. It will provide a guide foractions to improve, and encouragemore use of, the rights of way networkand the wider access resource.The Action Plan has been structured soit is clear who will be responsible forimplementing action. It is proposed thatthe monitoring of these actions isundertaken through the Council’sestablished Living Space ActionProgramme process. This currentlycontains a Countryside Access themeand this will be reviewed to ensure allthe Out & About actions are included.All partners are asked to provideprogress reports to contribute to themonitoring.Monitoring reports on the Living SpaceAction Programme will be received bythe Living Space Partnership. Inaddition, the monitoring report on thecountryside access theme, includingthe Out & About actions will bereported to the Local Access Forum.Measuring and reporting on theAssembly’s ‘Climbing Higher’environmental targets provide longertermbenchmarks of progress.The Living Space Action Programmealso provides a mechanism forincorporating relevant new actions.A formal review of Out & About hasnot been scheduled at this stage.Guidance from the Assembly and theCountryside Council for Wales isawaited with regard to the future ofRights of Way Improvement Plans inWales.42Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Appendix One:Population for each Area Regeneration PartnershipAreaPopulationCynon North (area 1) 9038Cynon Central (area 2) 29955Cynon South (area 3) 19732Pontypridd (area 4) 24624Rhondda South (area 5) 15311Rhondda Fach (area 6) 12575Upper Rhondda Fawr (area 7) 19540Mid Rhondda Fawr (area 8) 25981Ely North (area 9) 14469Ely South (area 10) 22479Taff West (area 11) 22246Taff East (area 12) 16960The information was generated from 2001 CensusOut & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf43

Appendix Two:Assessment Summary points for each objectiveObjective 1• There is a need to link outdoor activity for health purposes with thecountryside access network• There is great potential to use the vast areas of countryside for tourism toimprove the local economy• Publicity and promotion of the public rights of way network is poor• There is a need for more promoted and circular routes• The network is currently used for the purpose of exercise, recreation andtourism• There are a number of other strategies which highlight the importance of thecountryside as a valuable abundant natural resourceObjective 2• Other ongoing strategic processes and the WAG guidance link the ROWIPwith the Regional Transport Plan and the Local Development Plan.• There is a good infrastructure which currently isn’t being used to it’s fullpotential• Publicity and promotion of the public rights of way network is poor• There are not as many cycle ways as footpathsObjective 3• The Regional Transport Plan and the Local Development Plan are currentlybeing developed and the ROWIP has an important place within the process• There is public concern that paths are being lost because of development• There is a need to improve enforcement to protect the resource• There are not enough community links or paths close to communities• Many of the public Rights of Way through FCW are obstructed by plantation• There are many outstanding claimed rights of way applications• There are many paths not being used and will be lost with time• There are clear gaps in the network where there is no access• There are clear gaps in the network for specific user groups44Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Objective 4• There is an extensive problem with off-road motorcycles destroying footpaths,other dedicated access areas and wildlife areas• There are not enough paths which are suitable for those with mobilitydifficulties• There are not enough bridleways• There are not enough byways• There are clear gaps in the network for specific user groups• Antisocial behaviour is a wide concern and is preventing full use of the accessnetwork• Path surface and furniture need to be better maintainedObjective 5• Resources are insufficient to fully maintain the entire network• There is a communication gap between the public and the local authority• There are a lot of community and interest groups within the area• There is a lack of understanding of what a public Right of Way is.• Publicity and promotion of the public rights of way network is poor• There is a need to improve and promote community routes and links to thesurrounding environmentObjective 6• The definitive map is not up to date• There are many anomalies and inconsistencies on the definitive map• The GIS system used is inaccurate and out of date• There are a number of new statutory obligations to undertake as part of theCROW Act• Diversions are not always added to the OS map• There are many outstanding modification orders• There are a number of paths which have changed status due to development• There should be more use of the internet to report complaints and problemsOut & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf45

Appendix Three:Rights of Way and other Access funding 2007- 8Rights of Way and Access – Direct and Budgeted Costs GuideComprises the following:Staff Costs including:-Office basedRights of Way OfficerCountryside Manager (50%)Countryside Projects Officer (50%)Definitive Map OfficerSub Total - £85KRanger Service3 Area Rangers (50%) including vehicles, premises, equipment, materials, etc3 Rights of Way Rangers inc. including vehicles, premises, equipment, materials,etcSub Total - £110KSigns, furniture, structures, agency, legal and contractor costs on PROW andpermissive cycle / access for all routes –Sub Total - £55KTotal £250,000Value of work eventually carried out will be much higher because of jointinitiatives with Groundwork, Area Regeneration Groups, NAW grants, CCW,some involving capital provision.46Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Appendix Four:The duties and powers of local authorities under publicrights of way legislation (see Appendix 5 for abbreviations and definitions)Routine Service Actions (*Statutory functions)Public Rights of Way: EnforcementStatutory DutiesHA 1980 s 130 To assert and protect the rights of the public to the use andenjoyment of, and to prevent so far as possible thestopping up or the obstruction of all their highwaysHA 1980 s 130A Enforcement of duty to prevent obstructionsHA 1980 s 131A To take action if the ploughing or disturbance of a highwaywas unlawfulHA 1980 s 134 To enforce the restoration of footpaths and bridlewayslawfully ploughed or disturbedHA 1980 s 137A To enforce the duty of an occupier to ensure that crops donot inconvenience users of footpaths, bridleways andunmetalled carriagewaysHA 1980 Sch 12A To make good the surface of a right of way under certaincircumstancesHA 1980 Sch 12A To carry out works where a duty to keep a path clear ofoverhanging crops has not been complied withStatutory PowersHA 1980 s 132 To remove unauthorised signs from rights of wayHA 1980 s 143 To require the removal of a structure or other obstructionfrom a right of wayHA 1980 s 145 To require the enlargement of gates across bridleways orcarriagewaysHA 1980 s 149 To require the removal of things deposited on a right ofway causing a nuisanceHA 1980 s 154 To require the cutting back of vegetationHA 1980 s 164 To require the abatement of a nuisance caused by barbedwire adjoining a right of wayPublic Rights of Way: Changes to the PROW NetworkStatutory DutiesWACA 1981 s 53 To keep the definitive map under continuous reviewWACA 1981 s 53 To make modification orders to take account of eventsrequiring the map to be modifiedWACA 1981 s 57 To keep copies of the definitive map and statement,together with copies of any subsequent modification andorders, available for public inspection in every district47Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

WACA 1981 s 57WACA 1981 s 53BTo draw the attention of the public to the availability ofdefinitive maps for inspection and to the right to apply formodification orders to be madeTo keep a register to contain such information as may beprescribed with respect to applications underStatutory PowersHA 1980 s 25 To create a footpath or bridleway by agreementHA 1980 s 26 To make an order to create a footpath or bridlewayHA 1980 s 38 To agree to undertake maintenance of a footpath orbridlewayHA 1980 s 116 To apply to the magistrates court for the closure of a rightof wayHA 1980 s 118 To make an order to stop up a footpath or bridlewayHA 1980 s 118A To make an order to stop up a footpath or bridleway whichcrosses a railway HA 1980 s 119 To make an order todivert a footpath or bridlewayHA 1980 s 119A To make an order to divert a footpath or bridleway whichcrosses a railwayHA 1980 s 119ZA To make an order to divert a footpath or bridleway on(Sch 6 CROWA 2000) land used for agriculture, forestry or the breeding orkeeping of horsesHA 1980 s 119B To make an order to divert a footpath or bridleway for(Sch 6 CROW 2000) certain highways for crime preventionHA 1980 s 119C To make an order to divert a footpath or bridleway on(Sch 6 CROWA 2000) land that is occupied for the purposes of a schoolHA 1980 s 119D To make an order to divert a footpath or bridleway for(Sch 6 CROWA 2000) certain highways for the protection of sites of specialscientific interestHA 1980 s 135 To make an order temporarily diverting a footpathor bridleway to enable agricultural excavation orengineering works to be carried outTACPA 1990 s 257 To consider an application for a diversion of a footpath orbridleway where planning permission or consent has beengrantedRTRA 1984 s 14 To make temporary traffic regulation orders to restrict usefor public safety reasons48Public Rights of Way: Maintenance and ImprovementsStatutory DutiesCA 1968To signpost and waymark footpaths, bridleways andbyways where they leave the metalled road and elsewhereto help people follow the routeOut & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Statutory PowersCA 1968HA 1980 s 38HA 1980 ss 62, 72and 76HA 1980 s 91HA 1980 s 100HA 1980 s 145HA 1980 s 146HA 1980 s 147ZATo signpost and waymark footpaths, bridleways andbyways where they leave the metalled road and elsewhereto help people follow the routeTo agree to undertake maintenance of a footpath orbridlewayTo improve, widen or level rights of wayTo construct a bridge to carry a right of wayTo undertake works on a right of wayTo require the enlargement of gates across bridleways orcarriagewaysTo require maintenance work to be undertaken on stilesand gatesTo authorise new stiles and gates in certain(s 69 CROW 2000) circumstances for the improvements.KeyHA 1980 Highways Act 1980WACA 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981RTRA 1984 Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984CA 1968 Countryside Act 1968NPACA 1949 National Park and Countryside Act 1949CROWA 2000 Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000TACPA 1990 Town and Country Planning Act 1990TimescalesThe making of an order is subject to statutory time limits. Prior to making anorder consultations are carried out with the landowners, user groups, localmembers, community councils and the planning authorities. There is no statutoryrequirement to carry out any consultations. This however, has been found notonly to be good for public relations, but also helpful in discovering whether anyobjections will be made against the order and if modifications can be made tomeet the objections.Although this procedure adds time to the processing of an order, it may preventobjections being received and the matter being passed to the National AssemblyWales for determination, leading possibly to a public inquiry.Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf49

Appendix Five:Abbreviations and glossaryaAccess for AllALPARPBBNPBHSBOATAdditionalAccess suitable for people with visual or mobilityimpairment.Active Living PartnershipArea Regeneration PartnershipSix partnerships cover the Rhondda Cynon Taf areaBrecon Beacons National Park The area covered by theBrecon Beacons National ParkBritish Horse SocietyByway Open to All TrafficPublic rights of way with rights for pedestrians, horseriders, cyclists and licensed motor vehiclesBridleways Public rights of way with the right to walk, ride or lead ahorse or to cycle (cyclists give way to other users)Bro DysgCommunity Plan Partnership for education and lifelonglearningccurrentCA 1968 Countryside Act 1968CBCCounty Borough CouncilCCWCountryside Council for WalesThe Government's statutory adviser on sustaining naturalbeauty, wildlife and the opportunity for outdoor enjoymentin Wales and its inshore waters.Com Councils, CCs Community Councils Local government at the communitylevel covering parts of the Taff, Ely and upper Cynon areas.CFCommunities First Assembly designation of the 100 mostdeprived wards in Walesc.f.compareCommunity Route Permissive route, open to walkers, cyclists and wheelchairusersCRoW Act Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000CRoW Access Land Areas of land, rural commons or land described asmountain, moor, heath or down (open country) to whichthe public have a right of access on foot under theCountryside and Rights of Way Act 2000)CAPCountryside Action ProgrammeDCDevelopment Control50Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

Dedicated AccessLandDefinitive MapepFCWGISUnder the CROW Act there is provision under sectionfor landowners to dedicate areas of land to become openaccess landThe legal register for public rights of way on a map and theaccompanying written descriptionExisting ProjectForestry Commission WalesGeographical Information System A mapping computerprogram holding Ordnance Survey baseline data andindividual access data sets.HaHectaresHA 1980 Highways Act 1980ITInformation TechnologyKmKilometresKWTKeep Wales TidyLAFLocal Access Forum Forums of local volunteers withexperience of a wide variety of access issues. They wereestablished under the CRoW Act to advise LocalAuthorities, national park authorities, CCW, WAG andothers on improvement of public access to land for thepurposes of open air recreation and enjoyment. There is aRhondda Cynon Taff Local Access Forum and Forumswithin Brecon Beacons National Park.LHBLocal Health BoardLost WaysLost ways are public rights of way that may have existedbefore 1949, but were not legally registered. They mayalso be public rights of way with incorrectly recordedstatus. Sections 53 – 56 of the CRoW Act state thatunrecorded rights of way must be proved by historicalevidence, the paths must be registered by 2026 when anyunrecorded higher rights will be lost.Local Transport Plans The Welsh Assembly Government directed that all LocalAuthorities should produce a Local Transport Plan by2000; these are now being replaced by Regional TransportPlans. The WAG Guidance stresses the importance of theROWIP being integrated into the Local Transport PlansNAWNational Assembly for WalesNCNNational Cycle NetworknpNew ProjectOut & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf51

NPACA 1949 National Park and Countryside Act 1949NPTNeath Port Talbot CBCPermissive Path A path where the landowner grants access rights whichcan be withdrawnPublic Bridleway Public right of way with right of passage on foot,horseback and cyclePublic Byway Public right of way with right of passage on foot,horseback, cycle, driven horse and motorised vehicle.Public Footpath Public right of way with right of passage on foot onlyPublic Right of Way A linear route where the public have a legally enforceableright of passing and repassing. The public have a right towalk, to ride horses or cycle, and in other cases to usemotorised vehicles, according the classification of the rightof way on the definitive map.ROWIPRights of Way Improvement Plan Under Section 60 ofCountryside and Rights of Way ActROWORights of Way Officer (s)rsRoutine ServiceRTRA 1984 Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984RUPPRoad Used as a Public PathRUPP's are cart road footpaths (CRF's) and cart roadbridleways (CRB's). These are regarded as havingbridleway rights, although it is uncertain whether theywarrant higher rights. The 1968 Countryside Act directedreviews of RUPP's with a view of reclassifying them intofootpaths, bridleways or byways open to all traffic (BOAT).They are to be re-classified as restricted byways, with theenactment of Sections 47 and 48 of the CRoW Act, givingrights to walkers, horse riders, cyclists and carriage drivers.SSectionSAFESafety and Facilities for EquestriansS106Section 106 Agreement under the Town and CountryPlanning Act monies contributed by developers to providepublic infrastructure in connection with developmentSchScheduleSCWSports Council for WalesSESouth EastssStrategic Service52Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf

SUSTRANS Sustainable Transport CharityTACPA 1990 Town and Country Planning Act 1990Tir Gofal and Welsh Assembly Government agri-environment schemeTir CynnalWAGWelsh Assembly GovernmentWAG Guidance Welsh Assembly Government, Rights of Way ImprovementPlans, Guidance to Local Highway Authorities in Wales(2002), a document produced by the Welsh AssemblyGovernment to help Local Authorities in their productionof Rights of Way Improvement Plans.WaymarkA coloured disc showing status and direction of a publicright of way.WACA 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981£ estimated cost less than £5000££ estimated cost £5000 - £30000£££ estimated cost more than £30000*Statutory dutyOut & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf53