HC Deb 24 January 2002 vol 378 cc1031-2W
Ross Cranston

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to bring into force section 57 and schedule 6 to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. [28581]

Alun Michael

Section 57 introduces schedule 6 to the Countryside and Rights of way 2000, which contains a wide range of provisions relating to the creation, stopping-up and diversion of highways. These provisions require the enactment of detailed secondary legislation to bring them into effect.

I intend to implement those new measures that relate to the closure or diversion of rights of way on the basis of crime prevention and pupil and teacher safety ahead of the other provisions in schedule 6. I will be issuing a consultation paper on these shortly. The crime prevention measures will be restricted to areas designated by the Secretary of State for this specific purpose.

Public consultation on the other schedule 6 provisions is planned for early next year.