SIR, South Lakeland District Council is known to be seeking economies, and we have all witnessed the recent fiasco over proposals to close public toilets.

Therefore, The Ramblers' Association is very concerned by a

suggestion that SLDC may be planning to hand back to Cumbria County Council its delegated responsibility for the maintenance of footpaths and bridleways.

In recent years SLDC's record in dealing with problems on rights of way has greatly improved.

The list of outstanding difficulties reported by the RA and others is shorter than it has been for many years.

By contrast, in those areas which are the direct responsibility of CCC the list of problems is very long and progress in resolving them is depressingly slow.

The foot-and-mouth crisis demonstrated how important our footpath and bridleway network is to the tourist industry. However, a spokesman for CCC is quoted as saying: "Long distance paths have a low priority".

Yet a large number of people go to Ulverston just in order to start the 70-mile Cumbria Way, and over the next six or seven days spend a great deal on their way to Carlisle.

One can only hope that SLDC can be persuaded to retain its delegated responsibility for rights of way.

Otherwise the long-term damage to tourism (to say nothing of the disadvantages for local people) could far outweigh any immediate savings.

Dr Malcolm Petyt

Publicity Officer

Ramblers' Association

Lake District Area.

April 25, 2003 13:01