New technology means you can now let your fingers do the walking as the County Council launches a brand new online tool to report damage and obstructions on Buckinghamshire’s 2,000 miles of public footpaths, bridleways and byways.
And a few taps on your smartphone or computer is all it takes to log a problem on the new CAMs (Countryside Access Management) system. Walkers and horse riders can report items like broken stiles, overgrown vegetation or fallen trees, damaged bridges or path surfaces or even damaged or missing signposts and waymarks. Reports received can then be prioritised and dealt with as quickly as possible.
Not only will the system provide feedback on progress to the customer, it will also say if the problem has already been reported. The system also allows volunteers to sign up to help deal with reported problems.
Bill Chapple OBE, Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment, said it was all part of a drive to get defects and damage sorted out so people can make full use of the County’s rights of way.
“With such an extensive network of paths, bridleways and byways, this is probably the quickest way to let us know about issues. With each path number logged on the system, it’s easy for people to drop an electronic marker pin by the location of the problem on the detailed maps provided. We can then take it from there and sort things out.
“We already have our Fix my Street service for issues on roads and pavements, so its great that we have added this bespoke system for all our rights of way,” Bill added. “We pride ourselves on the quality and usability of our entire network, and this exciting addition will make sure we can get reported problems dealt with as quickly as possible.”
The introduction of the new facility followed feedback from both the Buckinghamshire Local Access Forum and the Bucks Rights of Way Liaison Group who both suggested keeping customers more up-to-date and informed about progress with rectifying problems.
The new reporting tool is available by clicking on: https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/environment/public-rights-of-way/report-a-rights-of-way-issue/ or visit www.buckscc.gov.uk and search ‘rights of way’. To report an issue, you will need to log in and then select the ‘Report an issue’ menu item. If it is your first time, you will need to register.
Notes to editors:
1. Before and after pictures of typical damage and subsequent repairs on a right of way is included.