Local authorities have a legal duty to see that paths are kept open and properly maintained. It's about time they took this obligation seriously

Ramblers' Association

The rally was organised by the Ramblers' Association, which is calling on the government to take more action against landowners who block routes which should be open to walkers.

It follows a survey of more than 22,000 miles of countryside across England and Wales in which the Ramblers' Association reported a total of 8,000 obstacles.

In March, the government published details of the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill which it said would give the public 'right to roam' over four million acres of land.

Association speaker Kate Ashbrook told the rally at Lightwater Valley, North Yorkshire: "It's extremely disappointing that there are still so many problems with our footpath network, which is a vital part of our national heritage.

Nicholas Van Hoogstraten blocked footpaths

"Today's rally has shown the strength of public feeling on the matter, with over 2,000 people braving the cold weather to be here today.

"Let's hope that councils sit up and take notice."

Earlier this year, property tycoon Nicholas Van Hoogstraten, 54, lost a legal battle with ramblers over a footpath running through his East Sussex estate.

Mr Van Hoogstraten - who had earlier branded ramblers "scum" - had blocked the path with barbed wire, refrigeration units and a barn during a bitter 10-year row over walking rights.

'Barbed wire'

The association put Shropshire and Powys top of the list of shame with reported obstructions every single mile of the footpath networks in the two areas.

The survey found barbed wire blocking paths

Problems ranged from locked gates to missing bridges and barbed wire wrapped around stiles, they said.

Ramblers' Association president Andrew Bennett, a Labour MP, told the crowds the survey findings were "unacceptable".

Mr Bennett, chairman of the House of Commons environment select committee, said: "These new survey figures show once again the shocking state of this nation's public footpaths.

"This is simply not acceptable.

"Local authorities have a legal duty to see that paths are kept open and properly maintained. It's about time they took this obligation seriously."