A career in public rights of way
By Chris Gregson, Public Rights of Way Officer at Lancashire County Council
What does public rights of way mean in work capacity, and how do I get started in the sector?
When I was looking for a new career working in the outdoor sector after spending a lot of years working as an outdoor instructor and youth development worker, public rights of way wasn't something I knew of, never mind considered. Since starting the role in May 2019 more people have asked me - "How do you get into a job like that?" and "I didn't realise that was a kind of job", than I could have expected. Especially given that the public right of way (PROW) work is a statutory role in which the local authority have a legal obligation to maintain and manage these PROW.
A PROW is a vital component of urban and rural infrastructure, encompassing the areas dedicated to public use such as sidewalks, roads, and pathways. As towns evolve and grow, maintaining and improving these spaces becomes crucial to ensure the smooth functioning of urban life linking in with the rural countryside spaces. In this article, we will delve into the significance of public right of way work, exploring its various aspects and the importance of ongoing maintenance and upgrades. In my local authority area we have more miles of PROW than we do have highways (froads) which gives some scale to the job role for a relatively small team. It is estimated the footpath network alone in my county would stretch from the UK to Kazakhstan. There are a number of different roles within the scope of managing PROW. My role and the most common is as a Maintenance and Enforcement Officer. This is a hands on working role in the field dealing with the daily management of the path network. The area covered by myself is both rural with urban areas dotted around, so I can find myself in a remote woodland or hill top, then in a town centre inspecting path reports and dealing with the findings as I see fit. Other roles include Diversion Officers, Development Officers, Public Path Order Officers, Mapping Officers, and different variations which tend to focus on specific areas of PROW such as mapping new and old routes and making sure the online representations of these are correct. We are supported by the wider team of finance, legal, and other council divisions.
So how did I navigate my way into becoming a PROW Officer? Simply, having worked in the outdoor environment I had a want to remain in an outdoor, active and career led role. Through searching for roles in the outdoors I came across the PROW Officer role for my local authority and decided to look further into this. Many of the skills wanted were interpersonal skills to manage and work with the public and landowners in order to maintain and manage the PROW effectively. Also a need to be map focused and able to navigate well was a huge transferable skill from working as a Mountain Leader and teaching navigation. Being able to have the ability to work out how the ground in front of you translates to what is printed on the map is a key factor, as decisions need to be correct as to where the legal line of the path may go and if and how it may be obstructed. Having established this communicating with the involved party in a positive way and, hopefully, structured towards finding a solution is a personal skill I have developed through years of working with difficult and challenging clients. These skills gave me the basis to apply and I was successful as my manager was keen to employ a personable person, who could learn the law and wider scope of managing PROW.
Some of the important aspects of PROW work are:
1. Safety and Accessibility: Maintaining the safety and accessibility of public right of way is paramount. Regular inspections and repairs of footpaths, sidewalks and roads ensure that pedestrians and vehicles can move about safely, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.
2. Infrastructure Upgrades: As towns and populations grow, so does the need for updated infrastructure. Public rights of way work involves upgrading and expanding footpaths, bridleways, and roads improving drainage systems, and incorporating new technologies to enhance overall efficiency and sustainability.
3. Community Connectivity: Public rights of way work plays a pivotal role in fostering community connectivity. Well-maintained pathways encourage people to walk, cycle, or use public transportation, contributing to a sense of community and reducing environmental impact.
4. Economic Development: Investing in public rights of way projects stimulates economic development. Improved infrastructure attracts businesses and enhances property values, leading to a more vibrant and resilient environment. Linking parishes with good quality footpaths keeps the rural community connected.
5. Compliance with Regulations: Footpaths are subject to various regulations and standards related to public rights of way. Keeping these spaces in compliance ensures that the city meets legal requirements, avoiding potential legal issues and liabilities.
There are lovely aspects to the role such as upgrading infrastructure and working with the community to get the PROW network up to scratch, but this side of the role can't be done without the compliance element. This generally takes form in managing obstructions, inaccessibility, and clashing with private landowner rights at times. Many of these are worked through with landowners but every so often enforcement action may need to be taken and the legal process needs to be spot on. A good example of this is locked gates. We need to establish why the gate is locked? Who owns the gate? Is the gate even a lawful limitation recorded on the PROW? And is it in the correct place? Many different factors which will impact on the action we may choose to take to maintain access to the public.
Some of the challenges in PROW works are:
1. Budget Constraints: Limited budgets can hinder the implementation of comprehensive public right of way projects. We must prioritise and allocate resources efficiently to address critical needs. These may be honeypot areas which have the greatest footfall, or important links between places on the footpath network.
2. Coordination and Communication: Public rights of way work often involves multiple stakeholders, including council departments, utilities, and contractors. Effective coordination and communication are essential to prevent disruptions and ensure the success of projects.
3. Environmental Impact: Infrastructure projects can have environmental implications. It's crucial to balance the need for development with environmental sustainability, incorporating green infrastructure and eco-friendly practices where possible.
This shows the complications and reality of improving a network on which the local authority rarely owns the land, and the impact of works on the environment which need to be done properly. It's not simple a job of putting in a new path or throwing down some stone on the surface. Covid-19 was a time of challenge where landowners were concerned about the public using PROW on their land and especially ones passing dwellings or farm buildings. Government-wise there was no guidance to close PROW so conveying this to numerous landowners was a regular debate and trying to inform the public of safe ways of using the spaces was our priority.
In conclusion, PROW work is fundamental to the functionality and prosperity of urban areas. As they continue to evolve, investing in a well-maintained and upgraded infrastructure becomes imperative. By addressing challenges, fostering collaboration, and prioritising the safety and accessibility of public spaces, towns and cities can create environments that thrive and benefit their residents for generations to come.
So what do I enjoy about PROW work? Being outside, working in some lovely environments with some genuinely good people, and improving the ability for others to get outside and explore the countryside or their local area is a huge driver for me. Yes sometimes it can be challenging and actions can sometimes take a great deal of time and effort, but knowing the positive impact that my actions have on the PROW network is such a nice feeling to work with.
Chris is on LinkedIn here
More from Lancashire County Council