Paul Harris
Countryside Services
FREEPOST NAT 7910
Oxford
OX33 1BR
20th April 2005.
Dear Paul,
Oxfordshire Draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan Consultation.
Please find enclosed the completed questionnaire from the Cotswolds Conservation Board.
Last July we sent a letter to all highway authorities highlighting what the Cotswolds AONB
Management Plan was seeking to see within ROWIPS. These are:
Summary of key elements for inclusion in ROWIPs.
1. ROWIPs to have a consistent approach across the Cotswolds AONB.
2. Ensure co-ordination, consistent good treatment and integration throughout the
rights of way network within the AONB.
3. Ensure that the public are aware of the new opportunities for access to open
country, for example by collating information and publishing details on an AONB
basis.
4. Manage and improve access to and recreational use of the countryside, ensuring
that the natural beauty, special landscape character, historic features and sensitive
and remote areas and habitats are conserved and enhanced.
5. Adopt a sustainable approach within ROWIPs including walking, cycling and
horseriding.
6. Develop and promote links between the rights of way network and public transport.
7. Conserve and enhance local distinctiveness. This includes stone stiles and other
local features such as stone bridges and locally distinctive patterns of gates and
stiles. (NB. A report on local distinctiveness has been produced and is on the
website.)
8. Use local materials including stone for surfacing and structures and where possible,
timber for stiles and gates etc.
9. Work with accessibility groups to ensure access for all.
The actions within the draft ROWIP compliment some of the policies of the Cotswolds
AONB Management Plan and also contribute to some of the priority actions. These include
access for all, quality experience, maximising opportunities, links to public transport and
links to attractions. The draft ROWIP does not conflict with the management plan.
However, one general area the ROWIP does not cover, is that of local distinctiveness,
design and use of materials. The key elements above highlight the need to conserve and
enhance local distinctiveness. This includes stone stiles and other local features such as
stone bridges and locally distinctive patterns of gates and stiles and to use local materials
including stone for surfacing and structures and where possible, timber for stiles and gates
etc
National AONB policy states that: Recreation is not an objective of designation, but the
demand for recreation should be met in so far as this is consistent with the conservation on
natural beauty and the needs of agriculture, forestry and other uses.
This means that where there is a conflict between conservation and recreation,
conservation takes priority. This is also reflected in the Board’s role as per the CROW Act
2000 and in the management plan which has been adopted by all 17 local authorities,
including Oxfordshire County Council. The CROW Act 2000 also places a duty on all public
bodies and statutory undertakers to have regard to the purpose of conserving and
enhancing AONBs when carrying out their duties.
Bearing in mind Oxfordshire has parts of three AONBs, we would wish to see recognition of
AONB designation and what this means for recreation and the ROWIP. This could be
included in the section covering delivery and monitoring.
Other comments
Page 11, 9.2 – conversely, access information to be included in public transport information
and supplied to relevant local businesses and services.
Delivery and monitoring
Paragraph 19 highlights the potential to deliver with the AONBs. A few years ago we began
to look at access along the Windrush Valley west of Witney with West Oxfordshire District
Council. Unfortunately this was not able to proceed at the time. We would be interested in
looking at this again in the future.
If you have any questions or wish to follow up any of the comments above, please do not
hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
Mark Connelly
Land Management Officer