West Berkshire Council is currently consulting on its Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP). This sets out the council’s strategic goals and priorities for public rights of way in the district.

It is based on a full assessment of the needs of the public in using public rights of way, now and in the future, and sets out a statement of action. The ROWIP has been informed by extensive engagement with stakeholders and the public, with a full consultation and call for evidence back in 2021. The Rights of Way Team has also undertaken a thorough review of evidence.

Spokes has responded to the consultation. Some of the key points that we highlighted were:

• Ideally, conditions surveys should be undertaken more frequently than once every 10 years, with high priority routes prioritised for more frequent surveys.
• The Kennet and Avon Canal towpath is in a very poor condition due to a lack of maintenance by the Canal and River Trust, and the situation is likely to deteriorate further due to significant cuts in government grant funding from 2027. A massive investment programme is needed, to bring this up to scratch and this should be recognised in the ROWIP.
• The extension of the Eling Way to Newbury should be a top priority in the ROWIP’s action plan.
• The ROWIP should recognise the benefits of long-distance cycling routes such as Eurovelo 2, National Cycle Network Routes and the King Alfred Way, which pass through the district.
• There are already a number of disparate groups who undertaken maintenance activities on public rights of way (particularly the towpath), but there is no coordination of these groups, which is inefficient. This may be an area for the Council to explore.

The public consultation on the draft ROWIP runs until 26 November and can be found here:
https://www.westberks.gov.uk/draftrowip