Rights of Way improvement plan

Helping Oldham Council adopt a rights of way improvement plan

Oldham Council has recently adopted a 10 year rights of way improvement plan prepared jointly by Unity Partnership, the council and JMP Consulting, for the future management of the 430km of public rights of way across the borough.

This is seen as a unique opportunity to improve how Oldham manages and promotes its extensive range of footpaths, bridleways and other trails to meet the future needs of the public, create opportunities for outdoor recreation, and to bring local communities together with the use of the network as a means to access workplaces, schools and local facilities.

Former Cabinet Member for Environment and Regeneration, Councillor Dave Hibbert, said: “The rights of way improvement plan offers an opportunity to look beyond our statutory duties and create a network of paths that can meet future demands for transport, recreation, and healthy lifestyles for all.”

Unity’s Terence Cavanagh comments: “Each highway authority in England and Wales has had to publish a rights of way improvement plan for their area, and Oldham’s received support from Natural England on the production of the plan, particularly the research and partnership work undertaken.

“Rights of way are minor public highways that exist for the benefit of the community and are the most widely recognised facility that gives residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy Oldham’s countryside. We have recently published the first annual work programme and this sets out the work that Unity and our partners will undertake.