EXMOOR’S rights of way footpaths are in top condition, despite increased use and the most vigorous vegetation growth on record, an Exmoor National Park Authority report revealed this week.

A total of 98 per cent of paths were judged to be ’open and easy to use’, despite being used by more visitors and warmer wetter summers pushing up the growing season by eight per cent.

The authority’s report records that ranger and field services teams cut back a record 215km of vegetation - compared to 159km the previous year - cleared 187 fallen trees, and made and installed 507 signs, 213 signposts, 134 gates and six footbridges.

They successfully resolved 950 faults and surveyed 34 per cent of Exmoor’s 1,000km rights of way network. Volunteers donated 348 hours of their time to support rangers with path surveys.

The report includes work by the national park to propose changes to the South West Coast Path on Exmoor at six separate sites, as part of a nationwide effort to establish the ’England Coast Path’ as the longest unbroken coastal path in the world.

Notable major works carried out last year included:

* The reinstatement of Woodside Bridge near Lynmouth, fundraised for by the community.

* Extensive repairs to the Tarka Trail funded through the BMC’s Men Our Mountains appeal.

* Major works to either widen, enhance drainage, or improve accessibility of, eight other public rights of way.

A spokesman said that walking in the countryside had surged in popularity since the pandemic, with more than 40 per cent of people claiming nature, wildlife and visiting local green spaces are now even more important to their well-being, according to Natural England figures.

Local resident Tim Taylor, previously leader of West Somerset Council, spent six months of lockdown walking almost all of Exmoor’s rights of way network. He completed the distance in daily circuits totalling 1,100 miles, also taking in some of the surrounding area.

Commenting on what inspired him to do it, he said: "Over the years I have walked many parts of Exmoor, so during lockdown I challenged myself to cover the National Park systematically and thoroughly.

"At a time when the outdoors was one of few freedoms left, it was a huge privilege to have Exmoor on my doorstep and to be able to cover such a magnificent landscape in its entirety. The teams who work to maintain the footpaths, gates, styles and signs in such great condition are to be highly commended."

Dan Barnett, the park’s access and recreation manager, said: "It’s been a challenging year and it’s not just down to Covid - the outdoors has always been a place to escape from the stresses of daily life and now people are relying on that more than ever.

"It’s thanks to the whole team here, as well as landowners and the community, that we’ve been able to step up and deliver a superb rights of way network under such conditions and I’m immensely proud of all that’s been achieved."

* The Free Press will feature some of Tim Taylor’s walks in a new series of articles next year.