THE importance of public rights of way to the North-East economy has been reinforced by the findings of a new report.

The network helps to support more than 9,000 jobs as recreation access routes generate around £240m a year for the region.

At the same time, spending on rights of way totals some £2.25m - or just £1 per person per year. This figure is falling.

Not only that, the routes are also seen as a health asset.

In fact, the report is urging active promotion of the network to offset the region's poor health record.

The findings form part of a report commissioned by the Countryside Agency and regional development body One NorthEast to assess the economic and social benefits of countryside access.

The North-East has a substantial public rights of way (PRoW) network, measuring around 9,900km in length, helping the tourism economy and the region's well-being.

Huw Davies, director of the Countryside Agency in the North-East, said: "The network is important to all of us for many reasons."

The research found that major walking and cycling routes can generate up to £10m of additional visitor spend along their length.

It spotlights the newly-opened Hadrian's Wall trail as a prime example with more than 400,000 walkers using the route since it opened in 2003, generating £4.5m throughout Hadrian's Wall country.

Health boosts are also underlined.

The North-East has the poorest record for diseases linked to lack of exercise of any English region, with an estimated overall cost to the NHS of between £110m and £410m each year. Output lost due to ill health is put at up to £320m.

In the study, 12 to 17pc of adults said they would use access routes more often if the network was improved.

This is significant when just a 10pc rise in physical activity would deliver savings of at least £25m in the economic benefits from better health.

John Holmes, director of tourism and regeneration at One NorthEast, said: "This research shows the importance of the region's footpaths, bridleways and cycleways.

"It highlights some opportunities but also some challenges the region will need to face.

"A challenge is to ensure organisations which fund, manage and promote rights of way work together to improve and manage this network.

"One NorthEast will play its part in this."

The report recommends that investment should support tourism centres to enhance activity. But it also points out that most access users are local and so routes should be developed close to residential areas to maximise health impact.

On a warning note, very popular routes can, potentially, bring environmental problems. To some extent, these concerns exist in the Hadrian's Wall area - a world heritage site and now also a national trail.

The study says it is important to manage routes in a sustainable way that avoids damage.

There are a number of developments which indicate now is a good time for many organisations to reconsider the role and potential of PRoWs.

One NorthEast is developing a new strategy for tourism. This should acknowledge fully the role of walking and cycling routes - focusing on those which can attract extra visitors and spend into the region, but recognising the importance of rights of way as part of the tourism infrastructure