Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Path Monitors

If you are interested in walking, you could provide an extra set of 'eyes' to help the Council monitor and maintain its Right of Way network.

Ideally, all footpaths should be clear and accessible throughout their lengths but unfortunately this is not always the case. The Council realises that there is potential to improve our inspection and maintenance regime by asking for your help.

With the introduction of Path Monitors, we believe that you can help to improve the quality of our paths by reporting any faults to the Council, using the 'on-line form' (Report a Problem with a Right of Way).

Faults which should be reported include :

Obstruction of the way constitute the most serious faults, such as :

• Barbed wire (e.g. across stiles or around gates)
• Electrified fences
• Crops and Ploughing
• Landslips
• Large holes
• Streams or ditches (e.g. which cannot be easily be crossed)
• Locked gates - or difficult to open
• By person (e.g. get off my land)
• Stiles/Bridges  - which are difficult or dangerous
• Surface Condition - overgrown vegetation.
• Signposts - false or misleading signs, missing, damaged or obscured signposts.
• Waymarks - (e.g. lack of)

In addition, it must be noted that the majority of PROW's network is within the rural part of the Borough. Therefore, footpaths are subject to seasonal weather conditions.

On receiving information relating to any of the above, the Council will take steps to resolve the identified problem, so that the path is fit to walk again.

All of Stockton's public rights of way can be found on Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer Maps 304,305 and 306, or on OS Landranger Map 93.  In addition, a free information guide is now available and copies can be obtained by: telephone (01642) 526708 or email technicalservices@stockton.gov.uk

The guide shows a wide range of routes and opportunities for countryside recreation.

The role of Path Monitors is available to groups as well as individuals and you will not be asked to approach landowners or do any physical work.

For more information call Highway Network Management Section on (01642) 526757.