The County Durham Local Access Forum met to discuss a range of access and rights of way issues across the county. These included updates on the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project, Environmental Land Management schemes, the Stockton and Darlington Railway walking and cycling routes, and the North Pennines National Landscape Partnership. The forum was also scheduled to discuss its work programme and allocate responsibilities for the coming year.

Rights of Way and Access Updates

Helen Barber, Senior Rights of Way Officer, was scheduled to provide an update from the Rights of Way Team, including information on 'Lost Ways' and Definitive Map Modification Orders¹. The Access and Rights of Way Team Leader was expected to provide an update on the Stockton and Darlington Railway walking and cycling routes, and the forum was also scheduled to receive an Active Travel Update. The meeting was also scheduled to discuss public access to council-owned land.

North Pennines National Landscape Partnership

The forum was scheduled to discuss the North Pennines National Landscape Partnership. Minutes from the Access and Recreation Working Group & Pennine National Trails Northern Working Group meeting held on 18 July 2025 were included in the report pack.

The minutes included updates on the Roof of England Walk, including the imminent launch of a website and promotional film. The group also discussed the Pennine Way 60th anniversary celebrations, including an event where 700 members of Girlguiding North West England collectively walked the entire route in a day. Heather Procter also advised that Access for All funding was likely to be offered again this year, and that a Nature Recovery initiative was being developed through National Trails UK, promoting National Trails as biodiversity corridors.

The minutes also included updates from members on various projects and schemes, including:

• Cumberland Council: Talkin Tarn path resurfacing and culvert options.
• Natural England: King Charles Coast Path creation and delivery, and the Coast-to-Coast National Trail moving towards formal opening in April.
• Westmorland and Furness Council: Coast to Coast – Nine Standards flagging installation and bridging of Faraday Gill, and additional drainage work of Hurning Lane, Dufton.
• Northumberland County Council: Pennine Way survey and issues to discuss that also relate to the South Tyne Trail, and Lambley viaduct closure.
• Durham County Council: Pennine Way survey ongoing, and a number of bridges becoming condemned.

Forum Business

The forum was scheduled to elect a chair and to review and update its work programme, noting the allocation of responsibilities. The work programme included a number of ongoing tasks, such as coordinating LAF activity, responding to DCC consultations, representing the LAF at various partnerships and working groups, and supporting officers to deliver the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) 4². Future agenda items included inviting the National Farmers Union to attend a future meeting, and presentations/training on the statutory planning process and the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust.