Caerphilly Local Access Forum

In Caerphilly, we can boast approximately 800km (500 miles) of public rights of way to enjoy for recreation and amenity. From footpaths to byways open to all traffic, we recognise that our public rights of way play a huge role in our enjoyment of the outdoors.

Whether you are a dog walker, explorer or nature seeker, or if the countryside is your workplace, we would love to implement your views in a collaborative environment to improve our rights of way for everyone.

Caerphilly Local Access Forum

Under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW Act) we must review our Rights of Way Improvement Plan at 10 yearly intervals. We also have a duty under the CRoW Act to appoint a Local Access Forum to advise on access issues within our area. We are therefore seeking to re-establish a Local Access Forum to advise on improving public access for outdoor recreation.

We are particularly keen for input from individuals from under-represented groups, or those who could advise in relation to the protected characteristics as defined in the Equalities Act 2010, on potential improvements to our access provision and these include:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins)
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

In addition to under-represented groups and to ensure a balance of representation, we also require the membership to include a cross section of users of our public rights of way, as well as landowners/land managers or their representatives such as Farmers Union reps on the Local Access Forum. These may include but are not limited to:

• Walkers
• Equestrians
• Young people’s clubs (e.g. Scouts, Guides, DofE coordinators)
• Pedal Cyclists / Mountain Bikers
• Runners
• Local history & archaeology groups
• Wellbeing groups (e.g. Forest schools, walk & talk groups)
• Third-sector users

Ways to give your views

If you are interested in becoming one of 20 members of the LAF who will advise the Council on future policy development in relation to access, please fill out this form.

Please note that meetings will be held quarterly, therefore we would expect a consistent level of commitment in attending these for the best outcomes.

Mae'r arolwg hwn ar gael yn Gymraeg. Mae ar gael mewn ieithoedd a fformatau eraill ar gais. This survey is available in Welsh. It is available in other languages and formats on request.

Residents who have any specific requirements such as access, hearing loop, require translation facilities or wish to use the Welsh language at any of the events are asked to contact the team at rightsofway@caerphilly.gov.uk or by calling 01443 866737.

Expected Outcomes

With members input, we will be implementing positive changes to our rights of way network and access provision and using this information to review and publish our Rights of Way Improvement Plan, which can be found here: Caerphilly Rights of Way Improvement Plan.