Residents, landowners and visitors are being asked for their views and ideas to help shape the next Dorset Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

The Dorset Rights of Way Improvement Plan enables Dorset council, as the local highway authority, to identify and prioritise actions to develop and improve the network of Dorset's footpaths, bridleways, byways, and wider routes.

The Dorset Rights of Way Improvement Plan consultation – which includes online maps – will help the authority understand the key issues that need to be addressed, and let people submit location-specific concerns and project ideas to help us improve Dorset's public rights of way.

The survey will allow respondents to:

• Highlight a 'missing link' where a new path would join up the network
• Identify a route linking communities that could be shared by walkers, horse riders & cyclists
• Explore the possibility of creating a safe off-road route where walkers, horse riders and cyclists currently must use the road
• Pinpoint good locations to improve a path's surface, replace stiles with gates and generally indicate where small measures can potentially make a big impact
• Suggest areas where better signage would be useful
• Raise concerns and how they might be addressed
• Reveal historic details such as old stiles and river crossings that need protecting

Councillor Noc Lacey-Clarke, cabinet lead member for environment, travel and harbours at Dorset Council, said: "Using public rights of way – the green highways – enables people to get outside and truly explore Dorset's villages, towns and wider countryside.

"The benefits are huge where an improved path network can provide car-free walking riding and cycling routes for all ages and abilities at a 'community pace' for local journeys; to get out, meet and socialise with local people; opportunities to step out from your doorstep and keep active, relax and unwind; a means to take time to explore and notice the details that we often overlook. Our paths help us all to experience Dorset's rich and varied natural and historic heritage.

"Taking part in this survey is a real opportunity for Dorset people to let us know what they feel works and what needs to be done to improve the way our residents and visitors can enjoy walking, cycling and horse-riding whilst taking care to protect the very landscapes these paths take them through."

After collating and reviewing the feedback from the consultation, Dorset Council officers will draft a new Rights of Way Improvement Plan early next year. This plan will be publicly consulted on in the spring, with the final version published and presented to Cabinet for approval in summer 2022.

Please fill in the questionnaire and online maps here by midnight on October 31.

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