§ 34. Mr. Boothasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consider seeking powers to impose a time limit within which county councils must carry out their statutory obligations under the Countryside Act to signpost public paths at their junctions with metalled roads.
§ Mr. Graham PageNo, Sir.
§ Mr. BoothIs it not the case that those county councils which do not signpost footpaths are not complying with their legal obligation under the Countryside Act, and will the Minister accept that, in the absence of such signposts and definitive footpath maps, it is very difficult, if not impossible, for certain citizens to exercise their rights of access to our countryside?
§ Mr. PageThis is a responsibility which Parliament allotted to the local authorities, and it is for the local authorities to decide what action they should take in the light of the resources available to them. I have no power to intervene.