Defra (Environmental Stewardship) Paths and Sites -  How useable are they?

 These are permissive paths opened under 10 year agreements with landowners/ farmers under the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme. Under this scheme landowners/farmers are paid a fee by the government for the provision and update of these paths for public use. These are the ones that have a white rectangular notice on site and can often make a useful addition to a walk. Details of these sites can be found at www.naturalengland.org.uk and can be downloaded.
 There are 163 sites in Lincolnshire and about 20 in the north of the old county that now comes under East Yorkshire and the Humber on the website. The map shows where site clusters are. Learn more about the scheme by going to the Natural England site. This will lead you to maps and detailed lists of sites in all counties, including maps of each site which can be downloaded.   However, paper copies can also be obtained from Natural England.

This year we have found some good Defra sites at Hackthorn, near Lincoln which have helped to make some excellent circular walks in the parish. Later, in North Norfolk we found there was a dearth of PROWs but quite a few permissive bridleways have recently been provided under the Higher Level Stewardship scheme which expanded the useable network considerably.  However, these are not shown on OS maps.  It seems that, at present, the Natural England website has to be consulted to find out about these sites. I understand that Defra paths are to be shown on the soon to be updated Lincs CountyCouncil website map of Rights of Way
Unfortunately, there is a big problem. The standard of upkeep and maintenance of the paths seems to be below what we now get for the Rights of Way maintained by the Lincolnshire Authorities. So who is responsible for the upkeep of these paths?  It appears that it is the relevant landowner who is paid by Defra under the terms of the scheme.  We have now found the contact person for our area who can contact the relevant landowner when there is a problem with the path

The person to contact is Emma Heald, Adviser, Land Management & Conservation. She says: “The office number is 0300 0604734. I am out of the office quite a lot. If I am not there people can leave message and a number and I will get back to them.” 
Click here to email Emma 

Problem Paths. Earlier in the year we found a Defra site in Wragby where there was no evidence of the path, and another site nearby where the stile was broken.   Emma has been to see the farmers concerned and we hope that these are being put right. 

These paths could become a worthwhile extension to the footpath and bridleway network and without any increase in our taxes.  However, it may be a long time before the paths are all up to standard. Meanwhile, please remember that the provision of these paths and sites is already being paid for out of your taxes and you have a legal right to walk on them. The farmer is getting extra funding to provide them!
Miriam & Colin Smith