COUNCIL bosses have been told to speed up work on several bids to upgrade Bury's network of countryside paths and bridleways.

But town hall officials say they have been deluged with applications because of a legal deadline set by countryside legislation.

And with the advent of the coronavirus pandemic, the authority has been given extra dispensaation to consider proposed upgrades and diversions.

Irene Pope, of Rochdale and Bury Bridleways Association, had complained about delays to a number of public footpaths applications across the borough.

These included efforts to convert a route from Higher Pit Lane, near Ainsworth, to Sumner Avenue into a bridleway, and a similar request for Moorgate Road in the same area.

Similar provisions were sought for nearby Arthur Lane, along three sections of different public footpaths; Cockey Moor Road, across Cockey Moor; Ainsworth Hall Road to the A58; and Knowsley Road to Church Street.

In a report, planning inspector Martin Elliott said applicants had a reasonable expectation of cases being resolved within 12 months of them being submitted.

But in these matters, two years had elapsed since they were lodged, and it was expected it would be another two years before they were determined.

Ruling that the applications should be decided within six months, Mr Elliott said: "It is noted that there is only one officer dealing with the applications who also

has to carry out other duties in respect of the management of public rights of way. This is said to be the cause of the delay."

But the said a government circular made it clear that local authorities should devote "sufficient resources" to their public rights of way commitments.

Mr Elliott added: "Lack of resources do not amount to exceptional circumstances and I do not consider that the applications have been dealt with as soon as reasonably practicable."

The council has now secured an additional dispensation, due to the pressures created by the current pandemic.

A Bury Council spokesman said: "The council has recently seen a significant increase in the number of applications for Definitive Map Modification Orders (DMMOs).

"This may be linked to the cut-off date of 01 January 2026 introduced by the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000, in relation to applications based on historic evidence.

"Modification orders are required to change the Definitive Rights of Way Map and Statement. An application has to be made with supporting evidence that the map should be amended - either to record a public right of way not shown on the map or to record higher rights which may exist over a route which is already shown (e.g. upgrading the status of a footpath to a bridleway).

"The processing of the evidence is a very resource intensive activity and the number of applications has been such that the council, despite its best endeavours, has struggled to process them.

"Additionally, our public rights of way (PRoW) officer facilitates the day to day upkeep of the network including minor works orders to keep the network open and safe, oversees temporary and permanent closures and liaison with landowners.

"In recent weeks, the PRoW network has played a vital role in providing residents with a way to get in their daily exercise under lockdown restrictions - consequently, we have had to react and intervene when issues have arisen regarding unauthorised obstructions in order to keep the network fully operational.

"The council has recently taken active steps to address this resourcing issue but the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted these plans.

"Covid-19 has had a dramatic effect on councils across the country that have had to change working practices and reprioritise work streams. Notwithstanding this, the council is progressing the DMMO work at every opportunity.

"As a consequence of the disruption to normal services caused by the pandemic, the Planning Inspectorate has agreed to the council’s request for additional time to consider the applications, and we will inform the applicants."