§ Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will make regulations under Part 2 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 for the closure of public footpaths in urban areas for crime prevention purposes. [147558]
Mr. Robert AinsworthThe provisions in Part II of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 enabling local highway authorities to make orders to extinguish or divert public rights of way in designated areas for crime prevention purposes will be brought into force by commencement order. Secondary legislation is required before these, and other provisions relating to the extinguishment and diversion of public rights of way, can operate properly. As my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment stated on 28 November 2000,Official Report, column 886, we expect most of the rights of way provisions in the Act to be implemented in 2002–03.