§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultation takes place between his Department, the Countryside Commission and the relevant authorities, before the routes for long-distance footpaths are chosen.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 requires the Countryside Commission to consult any county council, district council and joint planning board through whose area the route passes. In addition, the Countryside Commission normally enters into non-statutory consultations with the various amenity and landowning organisations concerned. If the Secretary of State does not propose to approve the proposals put to him he is required to consult the Countryside 1185W Commission and such other authorities and persons as he may think fit.
§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the criteria adopted by his Department and by the Countryside Commission in choosing the routes for long-distance footpaths; and if he is satisfied, in particular, that adequate attention is paid to the need to avoid dangerous roads.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe responsibility for proposing long-distance routes rests with the Countryside Commission and its first aim is to choose suitable routes which are attractive and interesting. The National Park and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 indicates that extensive use of roads mainly used by vehicles should be avoided and particular care is taken to ensure that where, as is inevitable, the route leads to cross roads, the safest point is chosen.