Committee investigated following Tynwald Day petition
A report calling for increased maintenance on the Island's footpaths has received unanimous backing in Tynwald.
A committee looking into the maintenance of footpaths, bridleways and green lanes recommended that there should be adequate investment to look after government-owned paths.
The committee was set up after Manx resident David Buttery submitted a petition on Tynwald Day last year.
Douglas South MHK Sarah Maltby picked up the petition and chaired the committee, and outlined some of the issues with the Island's footpaths in Tynwald this morning:
There will also be a report by the Department of Infrastructure by April next year outlining how it will address a backlog of changes to maps.
Infrastructure Minister Chris Thomas confirmed the Council of Ministers supports the committee's recommendations, but warned there are obstacles:
A third recommendation called for a working group to be set up to look at other footpath-related issues, including whether local authorities could play a role in maintenance, and updates to legislation.
Douglas East MHK Joney Faragher also asked for the working party to look into barriers that lead to landowners stopping access to rights of way, and whether additional rights of way could be considered - which also received support in Tynwald:
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