SECTION 1 - Defining the activity subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016

1A. Name of Public Authority.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

1B. Please provide a short title which describes the activity being undertaken by the Public Authority that is subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016.

“Footpaths Are for People” Educational Campaign (#Don’tblockthepath).

1C. Please indicate which category the activity specified in Section 1B above relates to.

Developing, Adopting and Implementing a Strategy.

1D. Please provide the official title (if any) of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service document or initiative relating to the category indicated in Section 1C above.

“Footpaths Are for People” Educational Campaign (#Don’tblockthepath).

1E. Please provide details of the aims and/or objectives of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service.

The campaign aims to raise public awareness of how pavement parking affects disabled people, parents with prams, and older people, using real stories and local voices to encourage community pride and influence driver behaviour. It seeks to build broad community support for inclusive public spaces, demonstrate cross-party leadership on accessibility, and reinforce the Council’s statutory duties under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (as amended) and Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, while aligning with the Council’s Corporate Strategy commitments to accessibility, safety, and inclusion.

1F. What definition of ‘rural’ is the Public Authority using in respect of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?

Population Settlements of less than 5,000 (Default definition).and other definition.

Details of alternative definition of ‘rural’ used: N/A.

Rationale for using alternative definition of ‘rural’: N/A.

Reasons why a definition of ‘rural’ is not applicable. N/A



SECTION 2 - Understanding the impact of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service

2A. Is the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service likely to impact on people in rural areas?

Yes.

2B. Please explain how the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas.

In rural areas, footpaths often serve as the primary route for walking, accessing public transport, shops, schools, and community facilities. Pavement or footpath obstruction can have a greater impact than in urban areas due to reduced alternative routes, limited public transport, increased danger due to higher-speed traffic as there are fewer designated reduced speed limit areas and people face longer distances to key services.

Overall, the strategy promotes equitable protection, safe practices, and compliance in rural as well as urban areas, helping to reduce health risks and maintain high standards of public safety across the Council’s geographic area.

2C. If the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently from people in urban areas, please explain how it is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently.

Footpaths are often the primary route for walking to shops, schools, public transport, and community facilities, with fewer alternative routes than in urban areas.

Blocked footpaths can therefore have a greater impact on mobility, safety, socialisation and access to services. People with disabilities, older residents, and carers are particularly affected, as detours may be long or unsafe. Limited public transport and longer travel distances can increase social isolation, and campaign messages may be less visible in rural communities without targeted communication through local networks.

2D. Please indicate which of the following rural policy areas the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to primarily impact on.

Active travel in Rural Areas.

2E. Please explain why the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is NOT likely to impact on people in rural areas.

N/A



SECTION 3 - Identifying the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas

3A. Has the Public Authority taken steps to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas that are relevant to the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?

Yes.

3B. Please indicate which of the following methods or information sources were used by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.

Consultation with Rural Stakeholders, Published Statistics and Other Methods or Information Sources.

3C. Please provide details of the methods and information sources used to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas including relevant dates, names of organisations, titles of publications, website references, details of surveys or consultations undertaken etc.

1. Rural residents who are members of the Equality Forum: raised the issue and lobbied Council for action, shaped the campaign and its contents and took part in the filming as a local diversity ambassador, telling their lived experiences.

2. Review of official statistics and reports:

Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), 2021 Census and Rural Statistics: Provided demographic breakdowns of rural populations, including age, disability, dependents, and car ownership.
Source: https://www.nisra.gov.uk/stati...](https://www.nisra.gov.uk/stati...

Department for Infrastructure (DfI) – Transport Statistics for Northern Ireland (TSNI), 2020–2023 and Travel Surveys: Highlighted rural transport patterns, access to public transport, and walking as a primary mode. DfI’s pavement parking options paper looked at ways to address the issue.
Source: https://www.infrastructure-ni....; and https://www.infrastructure-ni.....

The DAERA Key Rural Issues 2024, report shows that rural residents are far less likely to live within a short walk of a bus stop or other services. For example, only about 17% of rural dwellers live within 3 minutes of a bus stop compared with 38% of urban dwellers.
Source: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/pu...

3D. Please provide details of the social and economic needs of people in rural areas which have been identified by the Public Authority?

Research evidence (including DAERA’s Key Rural Issues reports and local engagement) shows that rural residents face particular challenges around access to services, transport, isolation, safety, and affordability.

  • Rural communities have fewer pavements, longer walking distances, and limited public transport.
  • Rural dwellers, especially disabled people and older adults, are more likely to experience social isolation due to distance and lack of transport.
  • DAERA reports highlight longer emergency response times in rural areas.
  • Rural economies rely heavily on small shops and local services. If people cannot safely walk around their village, footfall drops.
  • Rural residents include a higher proportion of older people and people with long-term health conditions.
  • Rural households face higher transport and fuel costs.

If the response to Section 3A was YES GO TO Section 4A.

3E. Please explain why no steps were taken by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas?

N/A.



SECTION 4 - Considering the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas

4A. Please provide details of the issues considered in relation to the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.

Issues Considered for Rural Areas:

Access to services: Rural residents often live further from shops, health services, schools, and community facilities, making safe and unobstructed footpaths essential for local mobility.

Transport limitations: Rural areas have fewer public transport options, longer distances between stops, and greater reliance on walking for short essential trips. Blocked footpaths increase barriers.

Longer travel distances: Rural residents typically travel further for work, services, and social activities, making safe pedestrian routes important for those without private transport.

Safety concerns: Narrow rural footpaths, limited lighting, and higher traffic speeds mean any obstruction poses increased safety risks, especially for disabled people, older people, and parents with prams.

Social isolation: Barriers to mobility can heighten isolation for rural residents, particularly older people, disabled people, and those without access to a car.

Economic disadvantage: Higher rates of poverty, fuel costs, and transport costs in rural areas mean households may rely more on walking for short journeys. Unsafe or inaccessible footpaths reduce independence and participation.

Digital and communication barriers: Rural residents may have weaker broadband or mobile coverage, so campaign messaging may need adapted formats or non-digital communication.

Limited alternative routes: Unlike urban settings, rural areas often lack parallel streets or alternative pavements, so a blocked footpath can completely remove access along a route.

Emergency access issues: Longer emergency service response times in rural areas make clear and walkable pathways important for ensuring community safety.

Demographic factors: Rural areas have higher proportions of older people and people with long-term illness or disability, increasing the need for accessible pedestrian infrastructure.




SECTION 5 - Influencing the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service

5A. Has the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, been influenced by the rural needs identified?

Yes.

5B. Please explain how the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, has been influenced by the rural needs identified.

Accessibility & Mobility: Recognising that rural residents often rely on footpaths for essential travel due to fewer alternative routes, campaign messaging highlights the importance of keeping pavements clear to support independent mobility for disabled people, older adults, and parents with prams.

Safety Considerations: Longer rural walking routes and higher-speed roads increase safety risks if pavements are blocked; campaign materials emphasise consideration and safety for all pedestrians.

Participation and Community Engagement: The campaign was co-designed by and uses local urban and rural voices from the Equality Forum to promote awareness and encourage behaviour change, addressing rural social isolation and strengthening community pride.

Communication & Reach: Considering limited access to digital infrastructure in some rural areas, the campaign incorporates alternative outreach methods such as BBC News (Regional Television) and the distribution of leaflets to community centres.

Inclusive Messaging: Rural-specific examples (e.g., narrow village pavements, countryside /seaside footpaths) are included to make the campaign relevant and relatable to all residents.

Monitoring & Evaluation: Equality Forum members Rural feedback is explicitly monitored to assess whether the campaign reaches rural communities effectively and achieves intended outcomes on awareness, inclusion, and behaviour change.


These adjustments ensure the policy is inclusive, proportionate, and effective in addressing both urban and rural circumstances, providing equal protection and compliance across the entire Council area.

5C. Please explain why the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or the delivery of the Public Service, has NOT been influenced by the rural needs identified.

N/A.



SECTION 6 - Documenting and Recording

6A. Please tick below to confirm that the RNIA Template will be retained by the Public Authority and relevant information on the Section 1 activity compiled in accordance with paragraph 6.7 of the guidance.

I confirm that the RNIA Template will be retained and relevant information compiled.

Rural Needs Impact Assessment undertaken by: Policy Officer.

Division/Branch: Corporate Services.

Date: 21/11/25.

Rural Needs Impact Assessment approved by: Head of Policy and Community Planning.

Division/Branch: Corporate Services.

Date: 24/11/25.