Sir, I have noted some commentary in The Westmorland Gazette on August 6 and 13 concerning the poor state of maintenance of Rights of Way in Cumbria and the failure of Cumbria County Council to fulfil its statutory duty.

During the period April to July 2004, a mere four months, I personally encountered 56 footpath problems, 55 of which have been reported to Cumbria County Council (Capita) and one reported to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. I have walked an equivalent number of kilometres in the Lake District National Park and encountered only one such problem; and that was not strictly a Right of Way.

I understand that six of these problems may have already been corrected as part of the CCC (Capita) planned maintenance schedule and three others passed to contractors but not necessarily resolved. This leaves a balance of 47 outstanding problems, ranging from near impassable quagmires of mud and bovine excrement to dangerously collapsed or broken stiles, many illegally obstructed by barbed wire.

One hesitates to mention relatively-minor problems such as missing signposts, excavations, barbed fencing and new walls (without planning approval) built across the path, bulls in field, or misleading warning notices, etc. There are even instances where contractors and individuals blatantly defy the county council and obstruct the Right of Way.

The list and variation are endless. Each one of these obstructions amounts to a criminal offence!

Arnside parish councillors have already been informed that they will wait up to eight years before footpath maintenance will reach them (Gazette, August 6 Ramblers press for paths cash'). No doubt others will wait in the same way, hardly the way to assist the Rural Community, which is increasingly dependant upon tourism.

This sorry saga is a reflection of the disregard on all sides of the rights of the Public on the Highway (a footpath is indeed a highway), and the county council fosters this attitude by its overt neglect and the low priority accorded to this Statutory Duty of Maintenance.

It has been calculated that it would cost only £6.2 million to put all the Rights of Way in England and Wales into a satisfactory condition. I suspect a very small portion of Cumbria's underspend would suffice in this county.

I would hope that everyone with an interest in the use of footpaths or bridleways, whether urban or rural, would write to his/her county councillor to express a desire for an improvement in the county where walking is of pivotal importance to the well-being of all.

P.E Robin Kendal