See answers to previous information requests

1. How many miles/km of public rights of way do you cover?
The existing public rights of way network The Wokingham Borough Council Public Rights of Way network consists of some 233km of paths, which represents 15% of the total highway network within the Borough. The majority of the network (64.5%) consists of public footpaths.

2. What is your annual budget for public rights of way maintenance?
Annual budget for PRoW maintenance is £81,000.00.

3. Please provide a breakdown of issues reported e.g. Way finding, Obstructions, Path Condition, Safety, Stiles/Fences, Other.
Along with the aforementioned issues, reports are received in relation to bridges, Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs), Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO’s), Antisocial behaviour, Definitive Map Modifications, tree safety issues etc.

4. What percentage of reported issues are remedied within 6 weeks of receiving the report?
Wokingham Borough Council operates on a 28 day target for enquiries. In relation to Public Rights of Way, this means that within 28 days an investigation into the enquiry will be carried out, usually with a site visit having taken place and an update provided. However, due to the nature of Public Rights of Way work, which are prioritised on a health and safety basis and repair works can only be carried out during suitable weather conditions, a resolution to the issue may not always be possible. On review of enquires that have been reported through the online system since April 2024, 100% have been investigated within the 28 day period.

5. What percentage of reported issues go unresolved/unattended in a 12month period?
All cases are investigated and attended to when reported through the appropriate online reporting system.

6. What is the average cost per resolution of reported issue? If no average available, please provide low/high range.
We are unable to provide the data for this. Some enquiries may be reported by more than one source, so it is not possible for us to allocate an average cost per issue raised.

7. Where you have a vegetation clearance programme in place, what is the criteria for selection of footpaths to be cleared in any given year?
A vegetation management programme is carried out twice a year. Once to address surface vegetation only on the PRoW network, and on the second occasion surface vegetation and side clearance is carried out. In addition to this, reactive reports of vegetation encroachment are assessed and sent for additional clearance where required.

8. What software/tooling are you using to track these requests – please specify?
The Council utilised an online reporting system ‘HIMs’ to receive and track requests. This system is also utilised by Highways and ground maintenance colleagues.