BFOI-016324 - Public Rights of Way

Request

Your request for information has now been considered and Breckland District Council's response is below.

Current Inventory and Status

• The total number of Public Rights of Way (PROW) that traverse level crossings within your local authority area.
• For each crossing, the current status of public access (e.g., Open, Temporarily Closed, or Permanently Diverted/Extinguished).

Active Rail-Related Closures

• A list of all current footpaths that are subject to a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) or a Notice of Closure following a request or safety recommendation from Network Rail (or Transport for Wales, if applicable), or a request for the same.
• For each current closure:
  • The date the path was first closed.
  • The date the current order is set to expire.
  • The specific likelihood of danger or risks identified by the rail authority as the justification for closure.

Applications and Correspondence

• A copy of the formal application and any supporting evidence (such as risk assessments or optioneering reports) provided by the rail authority for each active closure.
• Copies of correspondence between the Council's Rights of Way team and the rail authority regarding the necessity and duration of these closures.

Ministerial Extensions

• For any path closed for more than six months, a copy of the application made by the Council to the Secretary of State (for England) or the Welsh Ministers (for Wales) to extend the closure, including the Statement of Reasons provided.

Verification and Scrutiny

• Any records showing the Council's independent assessment or verification of the rail authority's safety claims, and confirmation of whether these risk assessments were accepted at face value or independently audited by Council Officers.

Response

Breckland District Council does not hold the information you are seeking, and it falls under the remit of Norfolk County Council. You may wish to direct your request to them via the following link: Freedom of Information - Norfolk County Council.