The County Durham Local Access Forum met to discuss a range of access and rights of way issues across the county. The forum received updates on projects including the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project, the Stockton and Darlington Railway walking and cycling routes, the Northern Saints Trails, and the Durham City Green Corridor. Members also discussed active travel, environmental land management schemes, and public access to council-owned land. Finally, the forum agreed to update its work programme to reflect recent changes.

Active Travel

Durham County Council is working to remove barriers to access on the county's active travel network¹. The council is working with partners such as Sustrans to identify and remove access controls that do not comply with the Equality Act 2010 and national guidance.

The Active Travel Team update stated:

Under the Equality Act (2010) public authorities responsible for a space are required to anticipate and make reasonable adjustments to enable Disabled people access with no substantial disadvantage compared to non-Disabled people. This explicitly includes altering and removing physical features which would otherwise exclude Disabled people.

The council recognises that access control measures can reduce the usability, capacity, directness and comfort of active travel routes. While complete removal of access controls may not always be possible due to local circumstances such as anti-social behaviour and safety concerns, the council aims to deliver inclusive and high-quality access controls in all new locations.

Rights of Way Team Update

The Senior Rights of Way Officer, H Barber, updated the forum on the Rights of Way team's workload, staffing, and progress on processing Lost Ways² and Definitive Map Modification Orders³.

H Barber reported that there had been little change to the previous update, with over 350 applications still to be processed. She referenced the Trimdon Station walkway Definitive Map Modification Application, which had recently been endorsed by the Highways Committee. A Modification Order will be made under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to add a public footpath along the applied for route from Station Road to Footpath 4 to the Definitive Map and Statement.

H Barber also noted that while staffing levels were stable, the team were being called on more frequently to comment on planning applications, which was taking up a significant amount of officer time.

A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project

The Access and Rights of Way Team Leader referred to a previously circulated letter regarding the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project legal challenge to the Secretary of State’s Development Consent Order decision.

The A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project has reached a significant milestone, as the Court of Appeal has dismissed the request to appeal the decision of the High Court on the legal challenge brought about by Transport Action Network (TAN).

The decision enables National Highways to continue with plans to upgrade the A66, which connects the M6 at Penrith to the A1(M) at Scotch Corner. Utility diversions, archaeological excavations, and surveys are being carried out across the route. The project remains part of the government’s ongoing spending review, and the outcome is awaited later in the year.

Stockton and Darlington Railway - Walking and Cycling Routes

The Access and Rights of Way Team Leader provided an update on the ongoing work and negotiation taking place with land agents ahead of the official start of the Stockton and Darlington Railway 200 S&DR200 taking place from March to September 2025.

The Project Officer’s contract was due to expire at the end of March, and any work carried forward from this role would potentially need to be picked up by the Access and Rights of Way Team.

Northern Saints Trails

The Access and Rights of Way Team Leader updated the forum on ‘The Way of Hope’ which would broadly follow the existing Weardale Way and complement existing Northern Saints Trail routes. Meetings were expected to take place in the coming weeks with landowners, and with D Potts, former Northern Saints Trail Coordinator and retired LAF member, to discuss his ideas for the Trails.

Durham City Green Corridor

E Wilton from the National Trust provided an update on the partnership project between the Trust and Durham County Council.

The Durham City Green Corridor covers the northeastern fringe of Durham City, along approximately a 6.5-mile corridor of the River Wear. The aim is to work with people and nature to enhance the natural environment while providing a valuable accessible resource for both visitors and the local community. The National Trust’s property, Crook Hall Gardens, is intended to serve as a hub or gateway between the urban and natural settings.

N Sharpe and G Hughes were nominated to represent the Forum where possible at focus group meetings.

Environmental Land Management Schemes

B Hodgson updated the Forum on Environmental Land Management Schemes, noting that work was ongoing in this area to try and secure more funding from government. He noted that there was a significant amount of paperwork to be completed in order to access the funding to increase hedgerow, wildflower and tree planting however, there were wildlife benefits to this.

The Access and Rights of Way Team Leader commented that under the old countryside stewardship there was permissive access whereby landowners could get paid for access, and this was being reintroduced however there were various restrictions around this and noted information around temporary permissive access for mobility access, however there were a lot of unanswered questions around what would happen when the access was removed. However, it was hoped that further information and consultation was forthcoming.

North Pennines National Landscape Partnership

The forum noted the minutes of the Access and Recreation Working Group held on 1 October 2024.

The North Pennines National Landscape Partnership discussed ideas on replacement of PIP⁴ and other Open Access infrastructure. Simon Wilson agreed to consider a survey of the PIPs.

Adam Crolla reported on a review of the Kirkoswald slow trail, and will be detailing works to be done and sharing with the access authority.

The Roof of England Walk, a 14-day walking route around the North Pennines National Landscape, is nearing completion and is due to launch later in 2025. Waymarks are now in production, and an imagery and videography contract is almost complete.

Hannah Kay provided an update on National Trails, including the 60th anniversary of the Pennine Way⁵. The 'Trail of Inspiration' opened at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes and has been well received.

Simon Wilson updated on progress made to improve accessibility using the Access for All funding, including path surfacing and structures, boardwalk completion at Bowlees, new Trampers, work being undertaken by Malcolm Judge on Access to Eden programme, new benches, family activities.

Mike Ogden mentioned the 3 BHS DMMO applications that have just been published using Enclosure Award evidence (Westgate, St Johns Chapel etc). He also updated the group on the ‘Way of Hope’ Weardale Way based pilgrimage route.

Duncan Lovatt mentioned the joint work to replace 4 stiles with kissing gates on the Pennine Way and resolve the closed section of the National Trail at Lintley.

David Gibson advised that works will be happening on Great Dunn Fell ridge to limit erosion. He also mentioned that the Dryburn Bridge replacement tender will go live on 10th March and that funding support is being discussed with National Trails UK (likely £250,000). He also mentioned the planned Westmorland Way that will start in Alston and head south.

Work Programme

The forum agreed to update the work programme to reflect recent additions and removal of projects which have completed.