HC Deb 12 July 1978 vol 953 cc1497-8
14. Mr. Shepherd

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the series of local public inquiries into the footpaths of the old county of Herefordshire will be completed.

Mr. Denis Howell

Although it has taken a long time to get the programme of inquiries under way, the Department and Hereford and Worcester county council have recently agreed on a timetable which will result in an inquiry being held every 12 weeks. Even so, with 11 inquiries to go, this means that it will be early 1981 before the exercise is complete.

Mr. Shepherd

I am grateful to the Minister for that considered reply. Is he aware that it is now over a year since the first of these local public inquiries took place, at Ross-on-Wye? Will he undertake to keep behind this programme all the way along the line so that long-standing sore points, such as the public footpath HB1, at Hampton Bishop parish, can be resolved for good and all?

Mr. Howell

This is an excellent example of the value of Questions. When I saw the hon. Gentleman's Question I asked why it was that we had not yet had the inspector's reply on Ross-on-Wye and Whitchurch. I am assured that the delay is exceptional and that we shall now get it in a matter of weeks. I assure the hon. Gentleman that I shall personally ensure that there is an immediate decision as soon as possible after that. The Hampton Bishop inquiry arises from a dispute between the parish council and the landowner concerned. I do not think that the county council or the Department come into the matter until that dispute has been resolved.

Mr. Flannery

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this problem goes much wider than Herefordshire and that, for instance, the Ramblers' Association is deeply concerned about the loss of old footpaths, many of which go out of use due to farmers putting wires across them, and so on? Does his Department give any guidance to associations such as the Ramblers' Association on how they can best consult local authorities in order to preserve these footpaths?

Mr. Howell

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for drawing attention to this problem. In the White Paper on recreation, which we recently issued, we made it quite clear that the Government regard access to the countryside and the maintenance of rights of way on pathways as being of tremendous importance. I can assure the House that if it draws our attention to any cases of malpractice we shall look into them immediately.

Forward to