With the Parish Paths Initiative (PPI) we aim to involve local communities in caring for their local path network.  This can be done in a number of ways:

• Monitoring- checking the paths in your parish to find out what needs to be done to make them fully usable or more easily accessible,
• Reporting- informing the Countryside Access team of any maintenance and enforcement problems, 
• Improving access to the countryside- by having stiles replaced with gates, improving path surfaces or clearing vegetation 
• Promotion- raising awareness of your local path network through leaflets, interpretation panels and map boards
• Features  –by providing seating at viewpoints along popular routes     

PPI in a nutshell

Parishes can apply for a small grant to help with improvements. The grant is only available for Public Rights of Way (ProW), not for permissive routes.  

100% of the grant is available towards:

• Material costs and labour provided by contractors
• Purchase or hire of tools, including strimmers
• Safety equipment, insurance and training for parish volunteers

50% grant is available towards:

• seating 
• or the production of leaflets 
• or other interpretation material, like map boards and panels  

Maybe you have highlighted local paths as an action point in your parish plan? Or you already have an active path group in your parish? Even if you don’t require a grant this time round you can still register as a PPI parish with us to receive guidance and training. 

If you are interested in joining the initiative or to find out more details please contact Andrea Bonacker at the bottom of the page.

You can also:

• Follow the link on the left-hand-menu to the "Frequently Asked Questions about PPI" 
• Follow the link on the left-hand-menu to the "PPI Manual"
• Download the PPI Information leaflet (below)
• Download the PPI Spring Newsletter (below)