The Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2007 - 2017

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 placed a duty on all highway authorities to produce a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (or 'RoWIP') for their area by November 2007. In short, the plan is a strategic approach to improving the city's public rights of way network and access to the waterside, areas of recreational open space and the wider countryside.

All authorities, when preparing the plan, had to assess the following:

• The extent to which the existing network meets the current and likely future needs of the public

• What opportunities are provided by local rights of way for exercise, open-air recreation and enjoyment

• The accessibility of local rights of way to the blind or partially sighted persons and others with mobility problems.

A statement of actions sets out how Southampton City Council proposes to manage and improve the network of local rights of way and access to other public areas in the City, and the wider countryside. This will include:

• Proposed actions

• A proposed timescale

• Information on what resources may be needed

• Details of possible partnership working.

The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Southampton

Southampton's plan has been produced based on research and consultation with user groups, residents and land managers. It outlines the key issues as well as a series of actions to improve the public rights of way network and access to areas of recreational open space, the waterside and the wider countryside.

You can download a copy of our plan using the links on the right of this page. Alternatively, please contact the Rights of Way Section for a paper copy on 023 8083 3987 / 4704.