Firstly i apologise for the thread as im sure this has been asked multiple times.
Im just looking for clarification on footpath markers/ cycle path markers, i keep seeing multiple of these in reviewing and am unsure of the validity of them.
iv attached three images of the “generic” signs im seeing, just want some clarification on them.
The onus is still on the submitter to say how they meet criteria however. Where does the trail go? Is it a great place for exploration? Is there a link provided to confirm the trail? etc.
The second one would be a fairly easy acceptance from me so long as the nomination text was up to standard. It has both a trail name and symbol on it, as well as an NCN trail number on it.
Public rights of way PROW are eligible.
This website is a valuable to resource to check if it is a PROW
Clicking on the line allows confirmation of the specific path name and distance.
To be acceptable it needs to have a short description of why following this path is going to be something worthwhile. If the PROW is little more than a 50m ginnel between house that is not going to be enough to meet criteria. If it is a longer path that is going to allow for exploration and that is covered then that is good. All of that applies to photos 1 and 3.
Photo 2 of NCN and the coastal path should be straightforward as long as they dont ness up the text.
In all cases the submission should have a specific title relating to that location that makes it different from others.
And finally the markers are not what you are assessing they can be very plain. It is the trail or route that is the interesting thing and the markers are simple anchor points on the map normally where you might need to make a decision about which way the trail goes.
1 - Reject - These are generic signs and I usually see descriptions such as “Footpath that leads towards town, beach, trails” but if you continue on the road you would also get to the same locations. These tend to be just directions to places that could be waypoints.
2 - Trail name / Logo would suggest to me that this is an easy Accept.
3 - This 1 I would look at where it goes to. These tend to be at the start of trails so in this case I would accept, if used in the same manner as Number 1 I would reject.
Extra: I am also seeing plenty of signs like number 1 but without the text, just the “walking man”. I also put these as generic and Reject.
Remember, this is just my opinion so I don’t want any flame wars (but don’t mind if you disagree).
For what it’s worth, I subbed and released a bunch of ‘generic footpath’ wayspots. They are all happily being accepted by reviewers. That could be down to the descriptions, the reviewer pool or them all being in the countryside. Footpath markers in urban areas are always a harder sell, as are ones leaving from roads (even quiet roads) in rural areas.
People will vary in their responses. There are mine..
Reject. This is a generic PROW sign, it does not appear to be part of a walking trail.
Accept. The England Coast Path is a highly eligible walking trail, it also looks like NCN Route 1 goes past here. If the signs are on the highway then they have to conform to certain standards which is why they look mass-produced. You are voting on the trail, not the sign.
Reject. Just the same as the first one, these are really common and unless some evidence of a walking trail is provided they are just coal IMO.
Since all we are shown are pictures we can’t say anything conclusive such as reject or accept.
In all 3 case they are official signage for routes that are walkable, it then totally depends on the text information provided and verifying it is a specific route. As per the criteria clarifications PROW (which are illustrated) should be considered eligible so not dismissed. It is then a question if the nomination is acceptable.
As always the option to skip is available if a wayfinder does not wish to assess something.
IMO, Number 1 is just a generic sign, in my reviewing area I have not seen these on official walking routes unless altered. They are just “this is just a path that leads to another road or estate”. These I will Reject.
As altered, I do occasionally see them that have had a trail “Arrow” marker added. I have mentioned before my dislike of the “arrows” therefore I would usually Skip unless the nominator makes an excellent argument for it.
Re-reading the criteria I do not see these shown as Trail Markers. I see them the same as the Blue “This is a cycle path” signs against a “This is a Cycle Trail”.