Internet Rights Of Way Maps (Hiking/Walking in general)

Member Name: bigd

Product:	Hiking/Walking in general
Date:	05/07/01 (66 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great for checking Rights of Way

Disadvantages: Not every council provides them

As a result of the Foot and Mouth problems some UK county councils have installed maps on their internet sites to show closed and open ROWs (Rights of Way). I have used the Dorset one ( http://194.238.223.186/dorset/mappage.asp ) and the Hampshire one ( http://www.hants.gov.uk/maps/paths/index.html ). There are some problems with selecting the exact area on the Dorset one and with getting printouts of all of your selection. Other Dorset walkers I have talked have reported differences so the PC and printer set up obviously make a difference. The council employee responsible for the team who put the material on the web site has responed to my comments and intends to keep the facility for other uses e.g. indicating which paths might be useful for adventerous wheel chair users.

I think having these maps on the internet is a great idea because it provides a mean for anybody with internet access to find out about but ROWs not just in their own area but when visting other parts of the UK.

I'm concerned that other councils who have done this may not keep the facilty. I understand that there was map covering the Isle of Wight but I have been unable to find it.

I think it would be a good idea if other walkers looked to see if councils in their area have provided such facilties and provide complimentary & constructive comments. Councils would then know they are being used and keep/improve them. Plus of course suggestions to councils that have not that they should. If you have trouple finding county council web sites they are mostly formed from all or part of the council name followed by -cc.gov.uk . If you can't find the one you are interested it may be listed on the web pages thatn can be found fro the regional links on http://www.countryside.gov.uk/footandmouth/poster. htm (there the ones in green on the bottom left). Though how long this page may not be kept by the Countryside Agency.

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