FOI002914 FOI Public Rights of Way

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, please provide the following information regarding public footpaths and level crossings within your council’s jurisdiction:

1. Current Inventory and Status

 * The total number of Public Rights of Way (PROW) that traverse level crossings within your local authority area.

 * For each crossing, please state the current status of public access (e.g., Open, Temporarily Closed, or Permanently Diverted/Extinguished).

2. Active Rail-Related Closures

 * A list of all current footpaths that are subject to a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) or a Notice of Closure following a request or safety recommendation from Network Rail (or Transport for Wales, if applicable), or a request for the same.

 * For each current closure, please provide:

   * The date the path was first closed.

   * The date the current order is set to expire.

   * The specific "likelihood of danger" or risks identified by the rail authority as the justification for closure.

3. Applications and Correspondence

 * A copy of the formal application and any supporting evidence (such as risk assessments or "optioneering" reports) provided by the rail authority for each active closure.

 * Copies of correspondence between the Council’s Rights of Way team and the rail authority regarding the necessity and duration of these closures.

4. Ministerial Extensions

 * For any path closed for more than six months, please provide a copy of the application made by the Council to the Secretary of State (for England) or the Welsh Ministers (for Wales) to extend the closure, including the "Statement of Reasons" provided.

5. Verification and Scrutiny

 * Any records showing the Council's independent assessment or verification of the rail authority's safety claims. Please confirm if the Council has accepted these risk assessments at face value or if independent site audits were conducted by Council Officers.

Request for Information Format

I prefer to receive this information in an electronic format (such as a PDF or Excel spreadsheet). If the Council does not hold a centralized list of level crossing footpaths, please provide the information held by the Highways or Countryside Access departments.