Solihull residents are set to be invited to give their views on how the council can improve the public right of way.

A public right of way is a right by which the public can pass along linear routes over land at all times.

Although the land may be owned by a private individual, the public have a legal right across that land along a specific route.

Every 10 years Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) has a legal duty to produce a 'Rights of Way Improvement Plan' setting out what the priorities are to improve the routes and ensuring these are delivered within the existing resources of the council.

With the old one set to expire the spotlight is now on what the new plan – which will cost the council £10,000 to produce – should include.

At the latest decision session for the cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, the portfolio holder, Cllr Ken Hawkins said: "As a keen walker there is great access to countryside all around the borough.

"I'm pleased to see this move forward."

Cllr Alan Wigley, who uses a wheelchair, said: "For me it is a priority on improving the rights of way we have to make them more user friendly and accessible.

"There are certain areas I can't get access to. We need to make sure there are no health and safety issues."

Cllr Hawkins said: "It is essential – the consultation will show that I'm sure.

"We need to look at where we can invest to make them really accessible."

Cllr Kathyrn Thomas said: "When the consultation goes out it's really important to be clear what is a public right of way and what people can comment on."

She added the risk would be people would give a lot of feedback to the consultation that didn't apply.

Officer Dean Ward, the council's head of highways replied: "It's a really great point.

"The report is effectively asking to start the consultation.

"When we go out to consultation there will be an effective front cover which says this is what a public right of way is, this is where the current ones are."

But he said they would be the opportunity for those responding to the consultation to raise areas where residents and interested parties considered there is a need for more connectivity and could potentially become a public right of way in the future.

Cllr Hawkins approved the consultation which is set to last six weeks and will be available on the council website when it is launched.

The meeting was held virtually on October 8.