Luton Borough Council Approves Upgrade of Public Right of Way

Strategic Insights -

Luton Borough Council's administration and regulation committee has approved the delegation of powers to Hertfordshire County Council to upgrade a public right of way and create a new one. The upgrade involves creating a restricted byway between Crawley Green Road and a new Hertfordshire boundary footpath, and upgrading the Luton Hertfordshire boundary footpath to restricted byway status. This move will provide residents with improved access to the area, allowing them to walk, ride a horse, or travel with non-motorized vehicles.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Luton Borough Council's administration and regulation committee has approved the delegation of powers to Hertfordshire County Council to upgrade a public right of way and create a new one.
  • The upgrade involves creating a restricted byway between Crawley Green Road and a new Hertfordshire boundary footpath, and upgrading the Luton Hertfordshire boundary footpath to restricted byway status.
  • The route runs mainly along the boundary of the two authorities and was decided to be upgraded for ease of administration.
  • Hertfordshire has a long-established rights of way team and was happy to do the works required at no cost to LBC.
  • The responsibility for the pathway's maintenance lies with both Luton Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council.
  • The path is currently used by the public and straddles the boundary between the two authorities.
  • The upgrade does not propose to pave any more than the existing paved areas, with two-thirds of the path being paved and one-third being unpaved.

Statistics:

  • The path is expected to take 9-12 months to complete the legal process.
  • The route runs along the boundary of the two authorities, covering a distance of approximately X km (subject to measurement).
  • Two-thirds of the path are paved, while one-third are unpaved.
  • The path is expected to be used by residents and visitors for walking, horse riding, and travel with non-motorized vehicles.

Sources:

  • Euan Duncan, "Luton Borough Council Approves Upgrade of Public Right of Way", [no date stated]
  • Luton Borough Council report to the administration and regulation committee, [no date stated]
  • Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Schedule 14, [no date stated]
  • Chris Godden, LBC highways officer, as quoted in the report, [no date stated]