HC Deb 18 March 1977 vol 928 c352W
Mr. Stephen Ross

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will take steps to ensure that roads used as public paths are shown on county definitive maps as greenways;

(2) whether he will consider extending tree preservation orders so as to include lengths of ancient hedgerows;

(3) whether he will now take immediate steps to identify and protect the physical existence of roads used as public paths in fulfilment of his duties under Section 11 of the Countryside Act 1968.

Mr. Marks

"Greenway" is simply a descriptive term for an ancient track, and rights of way along such tracks vary. The term is, therefore, inappropriate for inclusion on definitive maps of public paths. However, I am aware that there is widespread concern about threats to these tracks and to ancient hedgerows, and I have decided to ask the Countryside Commission and the Nature Conservancy Council t study and advise me on these matters.