report that footpath problem

Rights of way rage to virtuous glow in a few easy steps The footpath network we enjoy today is kept open largely because walkers report problems and make the effort to check that something is done. Sometimes your walk will be plagued with a range of minor annoyances like rickety stiles or overhanging branches, occasionally it can be brought to a grinding halt "Who put that quarry there ?". If you are leading a walk, you'll be doing your bit if you report at least the one most annoying problem you encounter. What is a footpath problem ? Anything that interferes with your enjoyment of the right of way, such as Stiles broken or strung with barbed wire Locked gates Path full of nettles or blocked by other vegetation Misleading signs e.g. 'private land' or missing signs Dangerous animals Path ploughed up or planted over dumped rubbish or rubble There is more information on the Basics of footpath law factsheet produced by the Ramblers Association. How do you report a problem ? 1. Collect the information This may be easier on the recce than the actual walk when you might not want to interrupt the flow. You will need to note: grid reference, easier if some keen person has GPS on them, and a description of location e.g. SP443178 stile approx 0.5km along path heading North from Old Woodstock towards Wootton description of the problem. It isn't essential but it would be brilliant if you could also get a digital photo both to send to the Highway Authority and for potential 'before and after' publicity. 2. Tell the highway authority or give the details to the group Footpaths Officer The highway authority for Oxfordshire is Oxfordshire County Council: F.A.O. Public Rights of Way Officer Countryside Service Oxfordshire County Council Holton Oxford OX33 1QQ Tel: 01865 810226 Fax: 01865 810207 email: countryside@oxfordshire.gov.uk They have an online reporting form you can use. Try to print out a copy of the form to keep so the problem can be followed up and send a copy of the details to the Footpaths Officer as well. If your walk is outside Oxfordshire, you can find the highway authority responsible in the list of local authorities in 'Walk Britain' or from the Ramblers Association website. 3. Copy the information to the Ramblers Association main office. You can use the online report form or post it. 4. What happens next? If you have the chance, check after a few weeks to see if the problem has been resolved. If it has not been resolved after, say, three months, write again to the highway authority. Please let the group Footpaths Officer know the outcome, or if you'd like them to follow it up with the highway authority. If you'd like further information or to discuss a footpath problem, please contact our group Footpaths Officer