The County Durham Local Access Forum was scheduled to discuss a range of national and regional issues affecting access and rights of way, alongside updates on local projects and the Forum's own work programme. Key topics included the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project, active travel initiatives, and the North Pennines National Landscape Partnership.

National and Regional Issues

The Forum was scheduled to receive updates on several significant national and regional matters. This included the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project, a major infrastructure development. The report pack indicated that preparatory work, such as vegetation clearance and archaeological investigations, had been underway, with limited finds from investigations near the Roman road. No confirmed date for the commencement of main construction works within County Durham had been announced.

An update was also anticipated regarding Active Travel North East, a regional initiative promoting walking and cycling. The report pack noted that a request for an update and attendance at a future meeting had been made, with a response pending.

Councillor Stephen Bowron, a member of the Forum, was scheduled to provide an update from the Farming and Rural Working Group (FRWG). The report pack mentioned that information on Environmental Land Management Schemes was limited, but the Sustainable Farming Incentive was expected to reopen, and Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier remained available. The Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme in the North Pennines was noted for delivering well-funded projects.

Rights of Way and Public Access

Updates were planned from the Rights of Way Team, including information on Lost Ways. The report pack highlighted staffing challenges and significant workloads, with over 350 Definitive Map Modification Order applications outstanding. Progress was noted as being constrained by public inquiries, increased user evidence claims, and resource limitations, with priority given to user evidence cases.

The Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) 4 was also on the agenda for a verbal update from the Rights of Way Team.

Discussions were scheduled regarding Public Access to Council-owned Land, with an update expected if available from Corporate Property & Land.

Local Projects and Trails

The Forum was set to receive updates on specific walking and cycling routes. This included the Stockton and Darlington Railway Walking and Cycling Routes, where bridge replacement works were anticipated, with temporary diversions in place. Discussions with landowners regarding future cycling and equestrian access were ongoing.

The Northern Saints Trails were also to be discussed, with the report pack noting positive national exposure from the BBC Pilgrimage series and increased interest from walking groups. Volunteer surveys were continuing to monitor route conditions and signage.

An update was scheduled from the North Pennines National Landscape Partnership, including the minutes of the North Pennines Visitor & Access Working Group held on 14 May 2026. This working group had discussed the merger of the Access and Recreation Working Group with the Tourism Working Group and the development of a new combined group. The Roof of England Walk, a 303km route, was highlighted as having been launched in September 2025, with significant publicity and ongoing work on an accommodation and services directory. The Pennine National Trails were also to be discussed, with updates on funding for 2025/26 and 2026/27, including a grant from Natural England for maintenance work. The review of the Delivery Framework, focusing on the 4 Es of National Trails (Enhancement, Experience, Engagement and Economy), was also on the agenda, with Economy identified as an area of weakness. The northern section of the Pennine Bridleway was noted as likely to be given lower priority in the new framework due to a lack of available funding.

Strategic Planning and Forum Business

The County Durham Plan Scoping Consultation was listed for discussion, with a link provided to the consultation portal.

The Forum was scheduled to consider its Annual Report for 2025/26 and agree its content.

Updates on Membership were planned, including noting the resignation of a long-standing member and ongoing challenges in recruiting new members. Councillor Stephen Bowron was noted as having suggested contacting Councillor McGuiness regarding potential farming contacts.

The Forum's Work Programme was to be considered and updated, with a note of the allocation of responsibilities. The programme included coordinating LAF activity, responding to DCC consultations, representing the Forum at various partnerships and working groups, and liaising with DCC officers. Potential future presentations from the National Farmers Union, Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, and the County Durham Association of Local Councils were also noted.

The date, time, and venue of the next meeting were scheduled for Monday 26 October 2026 at 5.00 pm, with the venue to be confirmed.