Almost 1,000 miles of public rights of way have disappeared in Cumbria over the past century, analysis shows.
The Ramblers – a charity for walkers – has carried out extensive analysis of how footpaths have changed over the past 100 years.
By comparing historical and contemporary maps, the charity has estimated that 861 miles of protected footpath have been lost in the county since the turn of the 20th century.
Public rights of way are paths that anyone has a legal right to use. While these are predominantly used by walkers, they can include bridleways also used by cyclists and horse riders.
Further research from the Ramblers and the New Economics Foundation think tank shows the average postcode in Cumberland has 3,100 metres of footpath within a 10 minute walk.
However, the charity has warned people across the country are missing out on the benefits of walking in nature and has called for a £650 million investment in paths across England and Wales.
In total, nearly 50,000 miles of public right of way have been lost over the past century.
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