My observations may be off topic for complete LDW's, but it may be worth while mentioning the change in farming practices. This has created very large areas of stock free agricultural land, as was pointed out to me by a farmer located between the 2 market towns of Shrewsbury and Wellington. I knew him as I was a farm manager for 17 years, though this was many years ago. He told me there was not a single herd of cows between these 2 towns. The size of milking herds has increased from 40-60 head immediately post war to 500+ today, concentrating them certain areas. The increase in grass fed beef will put more cattle out on pastures, but this tends to be marginal land, that not too suited for cultivation. Hill sheep will be on higher ground but these are far more extensive because of the decrease in hill farming subsidies.
The need for continuity of way in lowland areas is important. There are areas where long routes can be found in areas, which are solely arable, but if they are under walked the county councils may not be paying them enough attention. Most Access teams divide their access networks in to priorities so the do not waste money on underused paths. In the past I have tended to walk hills in high summer when the lowlands are at their most verdant and least passable.
Many of the problems I read on this forum and others should be taken to the local LAF's, when I was a member of a LAF there were too little public participation from users.