Public rights of way
Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981
Preparation of a Definitive Map for South Shields.
Within the borough there are approximately 100km (62 miles) of public rights of way, together with many other paths that are open to the public.
The Public Rights of Way Officer is responsible for:
- Ensuring that all public rights of way are accurately signed, well maintained and correctly defined legally
- Maintaining and updating all legal records relating to public rights of way
- Developing and promoting recreational access opportunities within South Tyneside and beyond
In addition to the public rights of way, a network of other routes, which links places of interests to population centres, has been created and is continually being improved. Examples include the Linnet Way, which links the River Don to the coast at Marsden, the Miller's Trail and Bede's Way.
Tyne and Wear local access
The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 places a duty on each local highway authority to establish an advisory body known as a Local Access Forum (LAF).
The LAF has a wide role in advising upon strategic access and recreation issues generally, and this will form the major part of the forum’s work programme. The forum is also closely involved with the production of a Rights of Way Improvement Plan, which will guide rights of way work throughout Tyne and Wear over the years to come.
See also: Walks and wildlife sites
Rights of Way Improvement Plan
Rights of Way Improvement Plan