The recent announcement from the UK government has generated considerable excitement and concern within the community of walkers and landowners alike. This comes in the form of the decision to abolish the deadline imposed on the recording of forgotten footpaths, which threatens the existence of thousands of miles of historic public paths across England. The removal of this cut-off date, previously set for 2031, is seen as a crucial step towards preserving vital public rights of way.
Historically, individuals were given until 2031 to document all unrecorded public paths and bridleways for inclusion in the official “definitive map” of rights of way in the nation. This mapping initiative was established following legislation passed in 1949, which mandated local authorities to maintain a definitive map of public paths. The continuous review of these documents has allowed appropriate evidence to prompt additional paths to be integrated into the official records. Yet, despite this long-standing system, recent estimates suggest that over 40,000 miles of rights of way remain without official recognition.
Walking advocates herald the government’s decision to lift the deadline, as this provides councils the necessary time to properly assess existing paths and ascertain their eligibility for official mapping. However, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) voiced their concerns over this move, indicating it may result in prolonged disruptions for many farming operations. The NFU argues that the emphasis needs to shift towards a more modern and sustainable framework that respects working agricultural land while still advocating for public access.
Over the years, there have been various governmental stances on the matter, with previous administrations opting to extend the original cut-off date from 2026 to 2031. The rationale for extending the deadline was to afford a measure of certainty for landowners and stakeholders. However, as the Local Government Association pointed out, financial constraints have limited councils’ resources, rendering the enforcement of the 2031 deadline an impractical expectation.
As of March this year, nearly 8,000 applications for new paths to be recorded are pending, illustrating the challenges councils face in processing requests efficiently. The announcement to repeal the deadline, whenever parliamentary time permits, offers a glimmer of hope for advocates of public access and rights of way. The voices of support underscore the essential role these paths play in contributing to community health and well-being.
Several voices in the landscape management community have echoed the need to secure paths, especially as development encroaches on rural land where these public routes exist. Kate Ashbrook, the general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, emphasized the urgency of recording these paths to prevent developers from obstructing or altering them. She articulated that the previous 2031 cut-off date would have led to these public paths vanishing from public knowledge, thereby robbing communities of their right to enjoy these historical routes.
Meanwhile, NFU’s deputy president, David Exwood, cautioned against an overwhelming focus on historical routes that have fallen out of use for long periods. He argues that it is imperative to shape a network of paths that caters to modern needs and promotes safety and respect for agricultural practices. The NFU seeks a balanced approach, merging productive farming with reasonable public access, thereby ensuring the sustainability of both sectors.
In closing, Ross Maloney, chief executive of the Ramblers charity, highlighted this decision as a significant triumph, protecting essential paths integral to the shared heritage of the nation. Minister for Access, Baroness Hayman, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the necessity to ensure public access to the countryside, celebrating it as a source of national pride that deserves protection for future generations. The cessation of the deadline breathes new life into the mission of solidifying public access to walking routes, where the past intertwines with the vision for a healthier, more active future.
