In reply to Offwidth:
Rights of way comes right at the bottom of any LAs priority list these days. Unfortunately most of us dont pay council tax where we walk and local priorities are focussed on stuff like policing and social care. Some have pretty much abandoned any pretence at monitoring conditions, let alone maintenance of ROWs. Particularly outside of Nat. Parks, there isnt the money or incentive for path maintenance. Im guessing the mtb track had some private funding, which was why they were hacked off with freeloading red socks on their path.
Back door privatisation of access to the countryside is very much the next thing for cash starved councils. Look on your own doorstep- all our big country park areas are privatised, be it serco at holme pierrepoint or the RSPB in sherwood