It all started as a good idea:
http://www.thenationalbyway.org/welcome.asp
Has anyone cycled parts of it? Is it signposted in your area? Presumably victim of the recession?
Such a shame.
I have to admit I'd never heard of it till you posted that link. Seems a bit odd that it's separate to Sustrans / National Cycle Network, though maybe it isn't? I haven't looked through the site properly yet.
I came across a couple of the maps today, printed in 2000 and originally supported by Hovis. They cover the South West, ie Winchester to Shaftesbury, all on road.
Yes, I guess Sustrans/NCN have more of a presence so perhaps that's why.
Edit: I've just checked the National Byway map against the NCN one for the South West and they are completely different.