The Lancashire Local Access Forum was scheduled to discuss updates on the Public Rights of Way Improvement Programme, the signage of unsurfaced routes, and progress on the King Charles III England Coast Path. The meeting agenda also included a review of the minutes from the previous meeting and any other business.

Public Rights of Way Improvement Programme Update

An update was scheduled to be presented by Abigail Lamberth regarding the Public Rights of Way Improvement Programme. This programme aims to enhance and maintain the network of public rights of way within Lancashire.

Signs for Unsurfaced Routes

Graham Lampkin was due to introduce a discussion on the signage of unsurfaced routes. The report pack highlighted that many unsurfaced routes are not clearly signed, leading to potential confusion and incidents for users. It was noted that a simple and cost-effective solution could involve signs at the entrance of these routes, indicating their legal status and the types of users that might be encountered. The report suggested that representative bodies of user groups could potentially fund and install these signs, with the blessing of the highways authority, to improve safety and user experience.

King Charles III England Coast Path Update

An update was scheduled to be provided on the King Charles III England Coast Path¹. The report indicated that the establishment of the path between Tarleton Lock and the boundary with Blackpool was underway and expected to continue until the end of March 2026, coinciding with the end of the DEFRA funding round for 2025/26. Further work would be necessary after this date, particularly for sections requiring ground condition improvements to enable access. While the priority was to open access rights along the full stretch from Cleveleys to Pier Head, targeted paths along the Silverdale to Cleveleys stretch were also in progress. The commencement date for rights between Cleveleys to Pier Head was not expected to be predictable until April 2026.