Footpath improvement plan approved by council

Newlands Corner near Guildford is a popular walking spot

A plan to improve Surrey's footpaths and bridleways has been approved.

A county council report looking at a 10-year strategy to maintain public rights of way said there is "concern" that they are not used as much by disabled people, those in worse health, younger people, and those who described their ethnicity as "non-white".

Surrey County Council (SCC) is responsible for about 2,164 miles (3,482km) of paths, otherwise known as public rights of way, both in rural and urban areas.

Among its objectives SCC pledged to support access for all and maintain rights of way so they are safe.

The council's plan sets out how public rights of way "meet the needs of the public, now and in the future", and is something the council must have.

Residents were asked to share their views in a survey which received 4,300 responses.

Respondents highlighted factors which negatively affected their experience of public rights of way including:

• Overgrown paths

• Poor surface condition

• Fallen trees and other obstructions

• Lack of waymarking along the route

A council spokesperson said: "Though the plan is aspirational in its approach, investment will be within current budget envelopes subsidised wherever possible from external sources to deliver any improvements which are beyond existing budgets."

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