The Act – an Overview Part 1  Access Rights Section 17:  Core paths plan
75.Subsection (1) places a duty on each a local authority to draw up, within three years of this section coming into force, a plan for a system of paths sufficient to provide reasonable public access throughout its area. Each path within such a system is to be known as a core path. Section 7(1) provides that access rights are exercisable in respect of all core paths.
76.Subsection (2) lists examples of paths or routes which may be included in the system of core paths. These include paths and routes over land in respect of which access rights would not otherwise be exercisable,
77.Subsection (3) sets out the criteria to which a local authority must have regard in drawing up their core paths plan. Subsection (4) provides that a core paths plan must take the form of, include, or refer to maps showing the core paths.