Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she make an assessment of the potential environmental impact of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council failing to clear overgrown weeds on footpaths in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

The Department has made no assessment of the potential environmental impact of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council failing to clear overgrown weeds on footpaths in Newcastle-under-Lyme. However, local highway authorities are responsible for the management and maintenance of public rights of way within their area, including ensuring routes are kept free from obstruction. They are also required to prepare and keep under review a Rights of Way Improvement Plan, which assesses the condition of the local rights of way network and sets out planned improvements.