Management of Rights of Way and National Trail in the Cotswold, UK

Abstract

In England and Wales, many people enjoy walking along National Trails and Rights of Way. Rights of Way are a network of footpaths separate from the network of automobile routes. This paper clarified the management system of the National Trail and of the Rights of Way in the Cotswolds, a hilly terrain in southwestern England, through document search, interviews with stakeholders, and participant observation. We found that National Trails are managed by the National Trail Team of Natural England (a public body), and maintained by Trail Partnerships consisting of various stakeholders including a National Trail Officer, Rights of Way Officers of local authorities, landowners, volunteers, users, and local businesses. Rights of Way are managed by officers and councilors of the Rights of Way departments of local authorities, and by landowners, conservation groups, volunteers, users, and residents. In the Cotswolds, the National Trail and Rights of Way are under combined management. The Cotswolds Conservation Board maintains not only the access to the trail, but also manages local traditions and the surrounding environment. Users and volunteers are systematically organized at the local and national level and play an important role in footpath management.