The Essex Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) is a statutory document that sets out ECC's ambitions for improving the provision of access to the countryside through Rights of Way over a 10 year period. Development of the ROWIP was a requirement of the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000, and contains an assessment of the extent to which the existing network of local Rights of Way met the present and likely future needs of the public. It also looked at the opportunities provided by local Rights of Way for all forms of open air recreation and enjoyment, and the accessibility of local rights of way to blind or partially-sighted persons and others with mobility problems.
The ROWIP was last published in 2009 and it remains the prime means by which Essex County Council will identify improvements to the local rights of way network in order to meet the Government’s aim of better provision for walkers, cyclists, equestrians and people with mobility problems.
Essex County Council is currently preparing the second Plan (2020-2030) and is seeking the views of various stakeholders including individuals, user groups and parish and town councils. We will be having our say, monitoring the development of the Plan and asking for your help as the new Plan develops