Cwestiwn ysgrifenedig WQ87857

Wales’ 21,000 miles public rights of way (PRoW) network is an important asset for Wales and provides opportunities for local tourism, economic regeneration and community-led initiatives in areas such as health and wellbeing. The Wales Coast Path highlights the value of outdoor recreation to the Welsh economy, with a Natural Resources Wales’ 2015 survey showing that coastal walking alone generated approximately £271.4 million of gross added value.

Visit Wales’ 2023 Llwybrau/Wales by Trails campaign offers tourism and business opportunities to utilise our fantastic green spaces.

We recognise the PRoW network has seen a significant increased usage since 2019 so are funding a three-year capital access improvement grant to local and national park authorities, which have public rights of way responsibilities. The £5.6m grant will enable authorities to enhance recreational access to the countryside, including increasing under-represented groups’ access to the outdoors, improving information and promotion and contributing to physical improvements of footpaths.

The statutory Guidance for Local Authorities on Rights of Way Improvement Plans, sets out a requirement for local highway authorities to assess the conditions of their public rights of way as part of their Rights of Way Improvement Plan responsibilities, which should form the basis of applying for this and other grants.