National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949

51 General provisions as to long-distance routes. E+W

(1) Where it appears to [F1 the Agency], as respects any part of England F2 . . ., that the public should be enabled to make extensive journeys on foot or on horseback [F3 or on a bicycle [F4 not being a mechanically propelled vehicle]] along a particular route, being a route which for the whole or the greater part of its length does not pass along roads mainly used by vehicles, [F1 the Agency] may prepare and submit to the Minister a report under this section.

(2) A report under this section shall contain a map showing the route, defining those parts thereof over which there exists a public right of way, and indicating in each case the nature of that right; and the report shall set out such proposals as [F1 the Agency] may think fit—

(a) for the maintenance or improvement of [F5 any highway along which the route passes and which is a public path, a restricted byway or a way shown in a definitive map and statement as a restricted byway or byway open to all traffic;]

(b) for the provision and maintenance of such new public paths as may be required for enabling the public to journey along the route;

(c) for the provision and operation of ferries where they are needed for completing the route; and

(d) for the provision of accommodation, meals and refreshments along the route.

(3) A report under this section may also include such recommendations as [F1 the Agency] may think fit for the restriction of traffic on existing highways along which the route passes.

(4) Before preparing a report under this section [F1 the Agency] shall consult every [F6 National Park authority,]joint planning board, county council, . . . F7 and county district council through whose [F6 Park or] area the route passes; and it shall be the duty of every such [F6 authority,] board or council to furnish to [F1 the Agency] such information as [F1 the Agency] may reasonably require for the purposes of the report.

(5) A report under this section shall contain an estimate, in such form as the Minister may require, of the capital outlay likely to be incurred in carrying out any such proposals contained therein as are mentioned in subsection (2) of this section, of the annual cost of maintaining any [F8 existing highways falling within paragraph (a) of that subsection] and any new public paths provided for by the proposals, and of the annual expenditure likely to be incurred by local authorities [F9 and National Park authorities] in connection with the provision and operation of ferries, and the provision of accommodation, meals and refreshments, so far as those matters are provided for by the proposals.

[F10 (6) In this section—

• “definitive map and statement” has the same meaning as in Part III of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; and

• “restricted byway” has the same meaning as in Part II of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 51(1)(2)(3)(4) substituted (20.2.1999) by S.I. 1999/416, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 1(5)

F2 Words in s. 51(1) repealed (1.4.1991) by Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43, SIF 46:4), s. 130(1), Sch. 8 para. 1(7); S.I. 1991/685, art. 3

F3 Words inserted by Countryside Act 1968 (c. 41, SIF 46:1), s. 21(2)

F4 Words in s. 51(1) substituted (30.1.2001) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 67, 103(2), Sch. 7 para. 1

F5 Words in s. 51(2)(a) substituted (2.5.2006 for E. 11.5.2006 for W.) by Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (c. 37), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 12(2); S.I. 2006/1172, art. 2(g)(iv); S.I. 2006/1279, art. 2(g)

F6 Words in s. 51(4) inserted (23.11.1995) by 1995 c. 25, s. 78, Sch. 10 para. 2(5)(a)(b)(c) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7); S.I. 1995/2950, art. 2

F7 Words repealed by Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70, SIF 81:1), Sch. 30

F8 Words in s. 51(5) substituted (2.5.2006 for E. 11.5.2006 for W.) by Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (c. 37), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 12(3); S.I. 2006/1172, art. 2(g)(iv); S.I. 2006/1279, art. 2(g)

F9 Words in s. 51(5) inserted (23.11.1995) by 1995 c. 25, s. 78, Sch. 10 para. 2(5) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7); S.I. 1995/2950, art. 2

F10 S. 51(6) inserted (2.5.2006 for E. 11.5.2006 for W.) by Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (c. 37), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 12(4); S.I. 2006/1172, art. 2(g)(iv); S.I. 2006/1279, art. 2(g)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 51(2)(a)(5) extended by Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (c. 69, SIF 4:5), ss. 54(6)(7)