Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The aim of this survey was to obtain information on the use of, and attitudes towards, the public footpath network in England and Wales.

Main Topics:

Variables Types of users on Long Distance Routes, Recreational Footpaths and other public footpaths; purpose for which the path was used; whether paths satisfy people's expectations and requirements.

Two different methods were used: Sample (i) On-site interviews were conducted to collect information on Long Distance Routes (LDRS) and on Recreational Footpaths. Selection of interviewing points on the footpaths was carefully made to yield an appropriate cross-section. Sample (ii) Information on the ordinary public network footpaths was collected via a series of questionnaires added to the RBL Speed Search Omnibus which established, over five Omnibus cycles, whether the respondent qualified as a walker, or whether any member of the household aged between 12 and 75 had walked over the last four weeks.

Face-to-face interview