Right to roam? How Britain’s country paths are disappearing
This article tells us: The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates once described walking as “man’s best medicine”. But, according to the most extensive survey ever conducted of the 140,000-mile network of public rights of way in England and Wales, almost a tenth of all footpaths are difficult or even impossible to access. Overall, a third of the network is deemed in need of improvement.
In total, the 3,250 volunteers who conducted the survey on behalf of the Ramblers recorded 59,000 problems. The results, published last month, found routes blocked by barbed wire and electric fences, broken stiles and dense undergrowth. About 20,000 signs were also reported missing.