Many public footpaths and other rights of way are not recorded on definitive maps, the OSS said
Access campaigners said the Government must not implement a cut-off date on rights of way until all missing paths have been recorded.
The Open Spaces Society, in its submission to the coalition Government’s consultation on the future of rights of way on England.
A 2026 deadline for inclusion of rights of way on definitive maps is looming but, half-way into the process, most ‘lost’ routes have still not been mapped. The recording of these ‘secret’ rights of way was meant to begin 12 years ago as part of the provisions of the act that introduced the right to roam in England and Wales.
The Open Spaces Society, called for no implementation of the 2026 cut off for claims to add paths to the definitive map of rights of way until there is in place an efficient system for ensuring that path claims are processed swiftly, and every route which is likely to be a public highway has been claimed.
The society’s general secretary Kate Ashbrook said: “There are countless paths which, 60 years on, have still not been added to the definitive maps of public paths. Since they are unmapped, these secret paths may be at severe risk.
“We are deeply concerned that nearly half the time has passed between the introduction of the cut-off date for map claims in 2000 and the cut-off date itself of 2026, yet no progress has been made in claiming these lost highways.
“Many of them have no doubt been swallowed up by development, and we have the right to use and enjoy them all. It is crucial that we get the maps up to date as soon as possible.
“We appreciate that local authorities are suffering acute funding cuts, but we are sad that for many of them disproportionate cuts have been borne by the right-of-way service which gives immense value for money.
“Public paths bring income to the local economy, and provide benefits to people’s health and wellbeing. It seems short-sighted to cut this vital service.”
The OSS was a member of Natural England’s stakeholder group which drew up proposals, Stepping Forward, for streamlining the process for claiming paths for the map, on which the consultation is based.
Ms Ashbrook said: “The stakeholder group produced a rare consensus among bodies with differing interests: user groups, landowners and managers and local authorities.
“We urge the Government to implement its recommendations as soon as possible, before more paths are lost for ever.”
j a woolgar jawoolgar@btinternet.com
14 May 2013Under certain circumstances there may be some unidentified footpaths which could be genuinely registered as beneficial.
We own a small valley including an ancient orchard which used to belong to our family. Our family have lived and farmed in this valley for many generations. It is important for us to have this family connection and want to raise our grandchildren in this safe and tranquil area with the same freedom from fear that we all enjoyed . No one has ever interferred or entered this area of woods and orchard, my father now 96 years and my grandfather before him all enjoyed this private and secluded area in which to work peacefully and relax away from noise and disturbance.
Recently, as from last year, we were challenged by someone with a large dog running loose across our land. He was clearly looking for a challenge and we respectfully pointed out that a nearby Public footpath runs - along side our land through some woods to the same destination. the gentleman was frightening and we like to feel our grandaughters are free to roam on our own private land without the fear of being knocked over by a large dog. I tried to reason with this man who insisted he had an ancient Right of Way over our land.
I know this area and it`s history from generations before and I could honestly say this was not so. There are miles of Public footpaths surrounding the area and I could not understand why we were being intimadated in this way. I was told that he was the oldest person in the area ( that would make him older than my 96 yr old father?) and he knew everything about ancient rights of way and everything about the law.
I have a reasonable knowledge of the law myself having spent a few years working with title deeds, land etc. and have never come across this approach before.
we have lost the privacy and enjoyment of our property. This man frequently crosses our land - removes fences and crosses the river. Wildlife has been disturbed as we had sections of woods that we leave entirely for wildlife to enjoy without the interferance of mankind and dogs.
My grandaughters cannot be left to play and enjoy the freedom we had. We have been robbed of our privacy and safe environment and I cannot trust a man like this.
This year another man has started the same - using the same reason. An ancient right of way?
I would like to know more about this and how it is you can claim this right when there is none? I do know that if the boot was n the other foot - and it could easily be since my parents used to walk through the fields there house is now built on--- how would they feel ??
I promote peace and safety -- this world is unsafe and our children are threatened and insecure - where can we keep them safe? I believe in keeping ourselves to ourselves and not interupting other peoples privacy.
Incidently we do own a lane on the higher side of the valley which has a public footpath over it. We maintain it well and enjoy meeting people and like to see them enjoy it. they have a full view of the whole valley so why do they want to stray onto our private areas.
I hope this is not going to result in persecution - so far any attempt to address this situation has caused us distress and intimidation and I fear for the future of my family.
All our family heritage has been lost to the selfish act of someone wanting to take from someone else. Why do people become so absorbed in other peoples lives and property - what makes people so selfish and unkind?
I have grave concerns about this sort of campaign - since the country is riddled in footpaths and rights of way already which do not infringe on peoples lives.