Volunteer surveyors have been monitoring the condition of the public rights of way in Somerset since 2006.The information gained from these surveys is extremely valuable and forms part of an ongoing rolling program of path surveys with the whole county network being completed in a 10-year period. No small task when the network is over 6,100km in length! All the data gathered from these surveys is part of the Council’s inspection programme and performance management reporting, so really is key to the Rights of Way service area! 

As a Ease of Use volunteer you will be out in the fresh air discovering and enjoying Somerset's beautiful countryside! 

The amount of surveying you will be asked to do will depend on the size of area you cover. The minimum number of paths you will be asked to do is 4 per quarter, this may mean that on some occasions you do not have any. We will endeavour to prevent this happening on consecutive surveys.

As a surveyor, your role will be to: 

1. Survey the requested paths within the relevant month. This happens four times a year in February, May, August and November.  

2. Put up way marks where signposts are missing 

3. Cut back small amounts of vegetation around gates, stiles and gaps 

4. Follow and promote the Countryside Code when using a Right of Way 

5. Record the hours you spend volunteering 

6. Complete and return the survey pack 

7. Prepared to walk in all weathers 

A full range of eLearning will be available to volunteers and a group or 1-to-1 training session on how to survey will be provided. Mentoring with existing volunteers is possible depending on the area covered.