People's Voice - Access to Information

The fourth Peoples Voice survey, which sought public views on public rights of way, was during August and September 2005.

A total of 303 questionnaires were returned from panel members, giving a 58% response rate.

Public Rights of Way

• The activity undertaken in the countryside by the highest proportion of respondents is walking, with nearly half of respondents (45%) doing this at least once a week.

• Overall, in the last 12 months 87% have walked in the countryside, 29% have cycled, 6% have gone horse riding and 6% have undertaken other activities.

• Only 20 respondents never use rights of way. The four reasons they gave as to why they never used them are:
  1. Health problems / disabled (46%)
  2. Lack of time (21%)
  3. No reason (16%)
  4. No interest (13%)

• Respondents who undertake any of the activities were asked how long they normally spend pursuing the activities. Overall the highest proportion of respondents say they do so for between 30 minutes and one hour (38%), followed by those who spend between one and two hours (31%)

• When accessing the countryside, the three most preferred ways are by:
  1. Public footpaths;
  2. Country Parks; and
  3. Quiet Country Lanes

• The three least preferred ways are by:
  1. Open access land;
  2. Forestry land; and
  3. Other rights of way (Bridleway or Byway).

• When respondents were asked what the most frequent reason they used Rights of Way for, more than a third (36%) said it was for a healthy activity (e.g. walk to keep fit). Three in ten respondents (29%) most frequently use Rights of Way for a leisure activity (e.g. walk or horse ride as a hobby), 15% for dog walking, 8% for general countryside access and 2% use rights of way to access other facilities.

• Respondents were asked how important certain routes were to them. The highest proportion of respondents feel that local walks in their neighbourhood are most important to them (77%), followed by circular routes (54%) and themed or leaflet described routes (45%).

• The five places that respondents are most likely to look for information about Rights of Way are:
  - O.S. Maps;
  - Tourist information services;
  - Country Park Visitor Centre;
  - Guidebooks; and
  - Book of walks.

• The main areas that respondents feel more paths are needed in are:
  - Coedpoeth area (8%);
  - Ruabon Mountain (7%);
  - Rhos Mountain (5%); and
  - Cross Lane (5%).

• Now that Open Access Land is available, 72% have or will use it for
  following defined routes, 10% have or will use is to wander across at large
  across the land, 11% have not and will not make any use of it.

For more information contact:
Assistant Policy Officer
Telephone: 01978 292176
Email: statistics@wrexham.gov.uk