§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what increased provision was made in the local government financial settlement for each local authority to manage current and improved public access to the countryside. [63832]
§ Ms ArmstrongThe need for revenue expenditure by local authorities on public rights of way is taken into account, along with other spending pressures and the scope for efficiencies, in the local government finance settlement.
The Government recognise that their proposals for increasing public access to the countryside are likely to have cost implications for local authorities, and will take these into account in future financial settlements.