Draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2026-36

The strategic policy context

PROW and countryside access networks are recognised as contributing to active travel, leisure, health and wellbeing and the visitor economy. As such, national and local policy and guidance refer to the importance of protecting and enhancing PROW and countryside access networks.

National level

The National Planning Policy Framework, which guides development, states that “planning policies and decisions should protect and enhance public rights of way and access, including taking opportunities to provide better facilities for users, for example by adding links to existing rights of way networks”^[3]. Likewise, Active Travel England identifies PROW as forming “important networks of traffic-free, active travel routes” which “people use … for recreational purposes, as many provide attractive routes through nature. They may also be used for travel with a specific purpose, such as commuting or travelling to facilities.”^[4]

The government’s 25 Year Environment Plan^[5] published in 2018 - which featured a public bridleway on the front cover - identified a need to invest in active travel and access for all so as to improve inclusive access to green and blue spaces for wellbeing. The subsequent Environmental Improvement Plan 2023^[6] – which featured the same photo on the front cover of its executive summary – continued the aim of investing in active travel and highlighted the need for people to be responsible in their engagement with the natural environment.

Local level

At a borough-level, the aims of the ROWIP contribute to the Council’s Corporate Plan vision of Enabling prosperity and wellbeing for all in Cheshire East, through the contribution to each of the plan’s commitments: 1 - Unlocking prosperity for all; 2 - Improving health and wellbeing; and, 3 – An effective and enabling council².

PROW and country parks are identified within the Council’s Local Plan as forming part of the strategic green infrastructure of Cheshire East, as are cycle routes, greenways, canals, estate parklands, river corridors and key areas including those connected by the Gritstone Trail^[7]. Supplementary Local Plan documents referring to the value of PROW include the Green Infrastructure Plan^[8], the Green Spaces Strategy^[9] and the Design Guide^[10]. The Local Plan Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document states that“Public Rights of Way (PROW) are an essential network of connections that enable healthy and active lifestyles”^[11]. In addition, many Neighbourhood Plans contain reference to and aspirations for PROW.

The PROW and countryside access network can be found in rural countryside locations where they will be used mainly for leisure activities, as they are most often thought of, and are therefore contribute to the Cheshire East Rural Action Plan^[12].

The network also extends to within urban areas where it forms vital routes for getting around. The network is therefore well positioned to provide viable and safe alternative routes for local communities by encouraging people out of their cars and to travel by active means of transport, whether on foot, by wheeling - those who use prams, pushchairs, rollators, manual and powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters - by bike or by horse. In recognition of the contribution PROW play in connecting people with places, the ROWIP is integrated into the council’s Local Transport Plan and emerging Active Travel Strategy. By reducing private car usage, the ROWIP also links to the council’s Air Quality Strategy^[13] and Air Quality Action Plan^[14] and Carbon Neutrality Action Plan^[15].

The PROW network is freely open to everyone throughout the year. The Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy for the population of Cheshire East 2023-2028 includes the key deliverable of “Prioritising new walking and cycling infrastructure in areas with higher levels of deprivation and promoting active travel”^[16]whilst the Cheshire East Public Health Annual Report 2022^[17] highlights the co-benefits of reducing the impact of climate change.

Maintaining a high quality, accessible, natural environment is essential in supporting the visitor economy, with both local users and visitors from further afield contributing through stopping off at a café following a walk, buying a new set of boots, or staying in the area, for example. The Cheshire East Visitor Economy Strategy 2023-2028^[18] recognises the importance and potential of the countryside and walking and cycling routes in the borough, especially post-pandemic, with an increase in dog ownership, increased appeal of outdoor experiences and the increased consumer focus on health and wellbeing.

With the Peak District National Park covering a significant proportion of the upland area of the borough, the Peak District National Park Management Plan 2023-2028^[19] is clear as it sets out the aim of “Ensuring the existing rights of way network is more accessible and connected to recreation hubs”.

Opportunities and challenges

The evidence base contained in the appendix includes an assessment of the current PROW and countryside access network and the demand for that network. Together with comments from stakeholders both within and external to the Council, this has drawn out the challenges faced in seeking to manage that network and to deliver improvements. It has also identified the opportunities that exist in doing so. These are summarised in the tables below.