Residents invited to help shape the future of Gloucestershire’s public paths and countryside access

Gloucestershire County Council is starting work on an important update to its Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) – the long term strategy that guides how the county looks after and improves its network of public footpaths, bridleways, byways and access routes. 

Public Rights of Way play a vital role in everyday life across Gloucestershire. They help people travel locally, explore the countryside, stay active, enjoy nature and connect with communities. The council wants to make sure this network continues to meet the needs of residents, visitors and land managers now and into the future.

The current ROWIP was published in 2011 and is now due for review. Since then, a lot has changed – including how people travel, the condition and use of the network, expectations around accessibility, health and wellbeing priorities, and the digital tools people use to plan journeys and explore outdoor spaces.

To help shape a new Rights of Way Improvement Plan for 2027–2037, the council is inviting people from across the county to share their views and experiences.

Whether you regularly walk, cycle or ride, use mobility aids, manage land, live locally, visit occasionally, or simply value access to the countryside – and even if you don’t currently use public paths – the council wants to hear from you.

Feedback will help the council understand:

• how well the current network meets the needs of different users

• what barriers people face, such as poor surfaces, missing links, accessibility challenges or unclear signage

• where improvements are most needed

• what would make the network more enjoyable, inclusive, safe and better connected

• how Public Rights of Way can support wider goals, including sustainable travel, community health, climate resilience and countryside enjoyment

The information gathered will play a key role in shaping a practical and ambitious 10-year plan. It will help guide future priorities, decision making and investment, ensuring improvements are focused where they matter most.

This is a chance for residents, communities and countryside users to have a real say in the future of Gloucestershire’s access network –  helping us to manage our paths and routes to work better for everyone, now and for generations to come.

Cllr Joe Harris, Cabinet Member for Highways at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Gloucestershire’s public rights of way are a huge asset for our county – supporting everyday journeys, access to the countryside, physical and mental wellbeing, and sustainable travel. Our current plan is over a decade old, and it’s important that the next one reflects how people live, travel and enjoy our county today.

“We want to hear from as many people as possible, including those who don’t currently use public paths, so we can understand what’s working well, what isn’t, and where improvements will make the biggest difference. The feedback we receive will help shape a practical, ambitious plan for the next 10 years and ensure our rights of way network works better for everyone.”

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk