Wigan Borough's public rights of way
The borough is an area with a rich heritage, covering an area of 77 square miles. It brings together a number of communities grouped round the two larger towns of Wigan and Leigh, and forms the most westerly part of the county of Greater Manchester. With a population of over 300,000, Wigan Borough is the twelfth largest metropolitan district in the country.
The area's wealth was founded on the twin kings of coal and cotton, both of which are now confined to the pages of industrial history but which left their mark on the local environment. More recently there has been an influx of new industries of all sorts including many household names.
Most of the scars of the industrial past have been eradicated, and huge areas of land have been reclaimed for new and attractive uses. Much of the borough is open land and boasts some very pleasant countryside, with a unique range of wetland habitats for wildlife.
Two centuries ago our towns were in the forefront of the canal era and the Leeds-Liverpool Canal links country parks at Haigh and Pennington Flash, Leigh. Other major leisure facilities include the Three Sisters Motor Sports Arena and, on the edge of the borough, Haydock Park Racecourse. At Wigan Pier some original canal side buildings, for many years derelict, have been transformed into one of the country's top heritage attractions.
The Rights of Way network as recorded on the council's Definitive Map and Statement comprises 1126 individually recorded rights of way totalling approximately 477km in length. 92% of the network is footpaths allowing access on foot, with the remainder being bridleways allowing access on bicycle, foot and horse. There are no paths classified as Byways Open to all Traffic.
Using Public Rights of Way is one of the fastest growing leisure pursuits in the country. The council acknowledges this fact and tries, within its financial restrictions, to administer them to an appropriate standard.
