Dorset's 'dead end' paths

Your favourite short cut home or the path you use every day to walk your dog could be lost forever, the Ramblers warns, as Dorset is named on its rights of way risk list.

Britain’s walking charity has just launched the ‘Dead End’ campaign.  It highlights the most pressing path issues  across the country as local authorities slash their rights of way budgets. Dorset County Council’s failure to sign off its Rights of Way Improvement Plan has earned it a place on the national list.

Rachel Alcock, Ramblers Campaign Officer: “By neglecting paths, Dorset County Council risks damaging people’s basic ability to get from A to B – difficult paths will soon become impossible to use, creating dead ends across the network.”

“The Ramblers is offering expertise with practical help and advice to the council, to put pedestrians and walkers top of their priority list again. We urge the council not to look this gift horse in the mouth.”

The charity says it has 12,000 volunteers around the country who are keen to help safeguard the places where people walk.

Rachel adds:  “In these difficult financial times, walking is a low cost leisure activity which has been proven to help both physical and mental wellbeing.

“Walking is for everyone, that’s why we’re calling on local councils to work with the Ramblers and ensure they keep path maintenance a top priority.”
 
For further details on the campaign, visit: www.ramblers.org.uk/Campaigns+Policy/deadend