LAST year the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority made more than a thousand improvements to its vast network of public rights of way.

The authority, which maintains public rights of way on behalf of North Yorkshire and Cumbria county councils, aims to achieve a target of at least 90 per cent of paths as 'easy to use', even though they may not follow the definitive line.

Last year, more than 92 per cent were given the classification - putting it amongst the highest of all national parks in the country.

The park prides itself on its network of rights of way, and even in the face of continued cuts, plans to keep maintenance as a priority.

It is money well spent - it currently attracts an average of 12.6 million day visitors and 1.39 million staying visitors every year - and the vast majority come to enjoy the countryside and the walks and rides it has to offer.

It is also home to the three highest peaks in Yorkshire - Whernside, Ingleborough and Penyghent, which in themselves attract thousands of visitors keen to take up the challenge of completing the 24.5 mile route.

Its website includes details of walks and rides to suit all abilities, information on how to walk safely - such as how to cope if you're chased by cattle - and even includes details on guided walks, which take place from April to October.

Alan Hulme, head of ranger services for the national park, based in Grassington, said the rights of way budget was likely to be squeezed in the years ahead as the authority faced a reduction in its government funding, along with other authorities.

"The authority has however said that maintenance of public rights of way will continue to be a priority programme and as such will seek to provide this service to a high standard in line with its six priority programmes," he said.

In addition, despite a cut in its core funding for capital works, external fundraising had proved successful and new ways of working had been found.

"As a result, the rights of way network is still at a very high standard, with 92.8 per cent classed as 'ease of use' which is one of the highest figures for any national park."

Over the last year, the park replaced or maintained 72 river crossings, including bridges, stepping stones and fords, and carried out work on more than a mile of 'engineered' paths.

It created a further 410 metres of paths, laid a new flagged path in Malham along the Pennine Way and improved sections of the Settle Loop and the Lady Anne Highway, both parts of the Pennine Bridleway.

It secured almost £152,000 of external funding towards work on projects including the Pennine Way and the Pennine Bridleway and for the Access to All project at Loop Scar, Burnsall.

As the delegated highway authority for North Yorkshire County Council and Cumbria County Council for the public rights of way within its borders, it is responsible for 2,132 km of rights of way.

The vast majority come under NYCC, and include footpaths, bridleways, byeways open to all traffic and restricted byways.

Its responsibilities range from the signposting of public paths and their maintenance, repairs to river crossings and the protection of rights of ways and temporary closure orders.

There are a total of just more than eight full time equivalent members of staff looking after rights of way and one rights of way officer, responsible for path orders.

In 2014/15, it spent £134,000 on public rights of way and in addition received external funding for a Pennine Way Ranger, a Pennine Bridleway Project Officer and for a Three Peaks Ranger.

In addition to the paid posts, its army of volunteers were responsible for 1,662 days of practical work and 523 of surveying.

The hours put in by volunteers equalled the work of ten full time staff.

The maintenance of rights of way and volunteering continue to be priority programmes, said Mr Hulme.

"We help both farmers and landowners maintain their stiles and gates, while users of the network - both visitors and residents - have certainty about where they can go, and have an enjoyable experience of the area. Businesses benefit because access to the area's special qualities, through the rights of way network, underpins the local tourism economy."

He added although maintenance of rights of way was often cited as one of the advantages of being in a national park, it was important not to lose sight of the fact that the work was being undertaken by the county councils, who retained the statutory responsibility.

Cllr Robert Heseltine, a member of the park authority, said even with a reduction in funding and the recent expansion of the park by 24 per cent, taking in Orton Fells, Northern Howgill Fells, Wild Boar Fell and Mallerstang, the authority would continue to protect its rights of way network as a priority.

"Maintaining the rights of way network is fully within the two statutory purposes of the national park. Each national park exists to conserve the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of its area, to promote wider public interest and quiet enjoyment of them and in so doing, with others to seek to foster the economic and social well being of communities in the park."

"For all members of the national park authority, the first consideration should always be the statutory national park purposes and in pursuing those purposes.

"In the Yorkshire Dales, we have a vast network of footpaths, bridleways and green lanes which since the 1970s have been transformed from boggy messes into recreational facilities to support the crucial tourism industry of the Dales."

He said the Three Peaks formed the 'bed of innovation' which was now being developed with projects such as efforts to make paths compliant with all visitors, including those with disabilities.

Cllr Heseltine said he had walked the vast majority of the national park and was looking forward to visiting those areas recently added.

"So far, we have had no indication of increased funding, but it will have to be maintained within our existing funding. But the tourism industry of the Yorkshire Dales can confidently expect the national park to deliver even in these most difficult times of austerity."