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Ceredigion County Council website

Rights of Way Improvement Plan

The requirement to produce the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) arises from the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

The network of public paths in Ceredigion - which total some 2500km in length - provides one of the main means by which people can access and enjoy the countryside. Rights of way are an essential part of the rural tourism product in Ceredigion and they also have a key role to play in health and well-being. At the same time the rights of way network is part of the local travel infrastructure, providing paths from people's homes to local facilities and places of work.

Rights of Way Improvement Plans are the prime means by which local authorities will identify, prioritise and plan for improvements to their local rights of way network - and in doing so make better provision for walkers, cyclists, equestrians and people with mobility problems. The Plan also takes account of the significant amount of new access land that has become available in Wales under the CROW Act.

Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2008-2018

Ceredigion County Council’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) was produced in accordance with the requirements of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW Act). For the first time, Local authorities had a legal requirement to plan strategically for the development, better management and promotion of their existing local rights of way and changes or additions to the rights of way network.

Rights of Way Improvement Plan

Mid-term Review - Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2013-2018

The 2008 ROWIP recognised the need for a mid-term review to allow for the action plan ‘roll-forward’ for the latter part of the 10 year plan period. By 2012 some of the actions contained in the ROWIP were already out of date, partly because some targets have been met and partly because others now appear unrealistic.

The following factors and requirements have influenced the way in which the review has been carried out:

  • Simplification of the plan
  • A more focused action plan combined with a reduction in the number of ‘themes’
  • Prioritisation of actions
  • Providing an opportunity for community involvement in rights of way
  • Planning for the longer-term

Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2013-2018

Right of Way Improvement Plan 2019-2029

Ceredigion County Council is pleased to announce the publication of its revised Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP).

Rights of Way Improvement Plans are the prime means by which local authorities will identify, prioritise and plan for improvements to their local rights of way network - and in doing so make better provision for walkers, cyclists, equestrians and for those who face barriers in accessing the countryside.

The network of public paths in Ceredigion - which total some 2500km in length - provides one of the main means by which people can access and enjoy the countryside. Rights of way are an essential part of the rural tourism product and have an ever more important role to play in improving/sustaining health and well-being and in meeting the objectives outlined in the Well-being of Future Generations Act. At the same time the rights of way network is part of the local travel infrastructure, providing paths from people's homes to local facilities and places of work.

For documents with larger fonts please email clic@ceredigion.gov.uk.