7. How does the Welsh Government's rights of way policies support the Ramblers' 'Don't Lose Your Way' campaign? OAQ55179

The Welsh Government is currently undertaking an access reform programme. This includes dealing with unwanted provisions of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, such as those relating to the 2026 cut-off date for historical routes highlighted by the Ramblers' 'Don't Lose Your Way' campaign.

That's good to hear and, Deputy Presiding Officer, I should declare my interest as the vice-president of Ramblers Cymru—proudly as the vice-president of Ramblers Cymru. Has she had the opportunity as Minister to go out with the Ramblers to see the new app that underpins this campaign? I've used it myself on my local paths. You can swipe from left to right. Apparently, you can do that with other apps as well, which I'm not familiar with. [Laughter.] And it overlays historic maps it overlays historic maps with current maps so you can see which maps have gone missing, and then you can, literally, as you're standing there, detail the path that has gone missing, which is in front of you but isn't down on the registered rights of way, and you submit it there online. I've done it myself. It's so easy to use. And what we're looking for, as the Ramblers, is to get tens of thousands of people across the country to make sure that they register these rights of way before the cut-off date in 2026. Has she had the opportunity to get out with her Ramblers? Has she used the app and switched left to right?  

The Ramblers app, yes? [Laughter.] So, I was really pleased I met Ramblers Cymru nationally, as a Minister, recently in the last few weeks, and I also actually met my local Ramblers group just Friday just gone. Unfortunately, the inclement weather meant that we weren't out for a walk, but we did get to sit in a lovely corner café in Caerwys. So, actually, whilst we didn't have the app or the online version of the maps, we did actually have the traditional paper maps, and I've talked through some of the lost routes at a local level. I think the Member just did an incredibly good job of promoting their campaign, and perhaps encouraging other Members to take a look and see in their own areas how they can get involved as well. As I said, I really do value the work of all the volunteers and Ramblers Cymru and the work that they do do in this way, and, as I said, the Welsh Government is working to see how we can review the 2026 cut-off date.

Thank you very much, Minister.