§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether the reviews of definitive maps of public rights of way in (a) Gwynedd and (b) Clwyd have been completed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsNeither of the reviews has been completed. Following substantial changes to the review of definitive maps procedure introduced by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 the Secretary of State directed Gwynedd county council in January 1984 to abandon its review. Where a review has been abandoned, the surveying authority has to make an order to show any changes made by the draft map which did not attract any objections. We understand that Gwynedd county council's work on plotting these changes is well under way, although it has taken longer than expected. We hope that the council's work will reach a speedy conclusion.
The review in Clwyd is being carried out under the provisions of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and the Countryside Act 1968. The final hearing into Clwyd's review was held on 24 April 1987. Once the Secretary of State's decision on this hearing has been issued all outstanding objections in relation to Clwyd's review will have been determined. Action will then be with the council to produce its definitive map and written statement.