Rights of Way

Part of 2. Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for European Transition (in respect of his law officer responsibilities) – in the Senedd at 2:41 pm on 20 October 2020.

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Photo of Janet Finch-Saunders Janet Finch-Saunders Conservative 2:41, 20 October 2020

You'll be aware, Minister, that in recent weeks, two walkers have been killed on public rights of way after coming into contact with livestock. Since March 2000, 98 people have lost their lives similarly, and many others have been injured when using these rights of way. Now, four groups—the Country Land and Business Association, the Tenant Farmers Association, the National Farmers Union and the Countryside Alliance—have written to Lord Gardiner, Minister for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity, highlighting the fact that the existing process for permanently diverting public rights of way does not provide sufficient flexibility to allow for temporary route changes. The Minister is actually being encouraged to amend the Highways Act 1980. According to the guidance for local authorities on public rights of way published by the Welsh Government, a number of provisions in the Highways Act do still apply here in Wales. So, will you be liaising with Lord Gardiner, or indeed any other relevant legal officer in the UK Government, to establish if the Welsh Government can work to implement changes to ease the process for farmers and landowners that need to implement temporary diversions here in Wales?