Public Rights of Way Network - Management Priorities
The following tables set out the County
Council’s list of priorities for the management of the definitive
Public Rights of Way network in Kent. Paths with a ‘Priority A’
status will be managed and maintained before ‘Priority B’ paths in
cases where the same operational priority has been identified.
The list of priorities has been developed
following extensive public consultation for the County Council’s
Countryside Access Improvement
Plan, and a robust evaluation of public use and
demand.
|
Network Priority Status
‘A’
|
|
North Downs Way National Trail.
|
|
Paths used to access local
amenities/facilities (e.g. station/bus stop/school/church/tourist
attraction/country park).
|
|
Paths used daily for leisure walking.
|
|
Multi-user paths with a clear public
benefit.
|
|
Paths identified by the Improvement Plan as
having significant potential for improvement.
|
|
Paths promoted by ‘Explore Kent’ products and
services.
|
|
Network Priority Status
‘B’
|
|
All paths not classified as Priority ‘A’.
|
Operational priorities
Priorities for the operational management of
the definitive Public Rights of Way network are shown below.
|
Priority
Level
|
Issue
|
Inspection
Response Time
|
|
1
|
Public safety such as trip hazards, dangerous
trees or adjacent objects, defective or dangerous bridges, stiles,
gates or other furniture, or surface conditions. Issues that
could result in litigation against KCC.
|
Within 24 Hrs
|
|
2
|
Emergency network protection, e.g. live
building/construction work that would lead to irredeemable loss of
a path. Legal cases with deadlines.
|
Within 5 Days
|
|
3
|
Proactive asset management.
|
n/.a
|
|
4
|
Time constrained offences and new permanent
obstructions e.g. crops and ploughing, fence or ditch.
|
Within 14 days
|
|
5
|
Natural obstructions, e.g. vegetation
growth.
|
Within 14 days
|
|
6
|
Signposting and waymarking on promoted
paths.
(‘Explore Kent’ products and services
only)
|
Within 14 days
|
|
7
|
Signposting and waymarking on non-promoted
paths.
|
Within 28 days
|
|
8
|
Long standing obstructions and nuisance, e.g.
deposition of filth, dirt, misleading notices etc (unless a public
hazard, see Priority 1) any other matters not mentioned above.
|
Within 28 days
|
Permissive Paths
Permissive Paths are not managed by the County
Council unless they have been established under a formal signed
Agreement. Where the County Council has entered into such an
Agreement, the path will be given Priority Status ‘B’.
Our Countryside Access Improvement Plan and
operational priorities are currently being reviewed. If you would
like to comment on our priorities please review the consultation.