Bradford council has been blasted for ignoring it's duty to keep footpaths open.

Chris Mullin, a junior minister in the Department for the Environment, has written to Cllr Darr telling him the concil has a terrible record.

Keighley's branch of the Ramblers Association and local MP Ann Crye have called for action to protect local rights of way.

Mr Mullin said Labour were committed to strengthening the rights of way network and told him to start clearing the backlog of work.

In the letter Mr Mullin said: "I understand there are constant pressures on budgets and that resourcing rights of way duties has to compete with other priorities. Nonetheless, Bradford has a poor record on this issue compared to many other local authorities."

Bradford council was subjected to an ombudsman's investigation, culminating in a report in March last year, which criticised the council's handling of the problem.

Frank Reynolds, the Ramblers Association footpaths officer for West Yorkshire, says he thinks it is entirely appropriate that central government should intervene when a local authority is seen to be neglecting its statutory duties.

He adds: "We welcome the intervention from Chris Mullin."

Mr Reynolds adds that his organisation has not ruled out seeking a judicial review.

He says: "If the local authority doesn't significantly increase the funding for the rights of way network and commence to effectively undertake its statutory duties, it is open to anyone to undertake a judicial review."

In a statement to the Keighley News, Cllr Darr insists that rights of way are being dealt with on a day by day basis, and that obstructions are being removed and paths protected on an on-going programme.

He says that he believes the service provided is at the level the public wants, and cites a recent survey which shows people are more concerned with maintenance and signing of rights of way and improved access to shops, schools, public transport and green space than with definitive map issues.

He adds: "I am not sure what comparisons with other authorities Chris Mullin has made but a look at the table of Audit Commission performance indicators for the metropolitan authorities will reveal that Bradford does not compare too badly on these aspects of the service."

l Cllr Derek Kettlewell, has been appointed to oversee Bradford's right of ways issues, and will meet Mr Reynolds, other councillors and concerned parties in a meeting later this month.

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