Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of downgrading (a) C and (b) unsurfaced unclassified roads to bridleways.

Following a public consultation in 2011, responsibility for road classification was largely devolved to local highway authorities in April 2012. Under this approach, such authorities were given powers over road classification without the need for central Government approval. Comprehensive guidance on road classification was published by the Department in January 2012, and can be accessed at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-road-classification-and-the-primary-route-network