Recording bridleways

[SEL]

How does it work if a submission has been made to the county council for an unrecorded bridleway and they just ignore it - will it be lost in 2026?

A local lady has done a few in my area, but looking at the council's website they haven't even started reviews on submissions made as far back as 2016.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I'd get onto the BHS bridleways dept to ask for help, for how things can and should be pushed along.
@PeterNatt has had a lot of success with bridleways.

 

[Fransurrey]

The deadline has been cancelled as far as I know, due to the extreme backlog, so don't panic if you haven't heard anything, but it won't harm to chase it up to check it's in the system.

 

[SEL]

I'd get onto the BHS bridleways dept to ask for help, for how things can and should be pushed along.
@PeterNatt has had a lot of success with bridleways.

Thanks - I can see it on the councils system @Fransurrey but there is a long list going back to 2016 which don't seem to have moved. I'll see if the BHS know if there's any pressure on the councils

Has the deadline definitely been cancelled? I tried to google to find out but the government website still had 2026

One of the submissions is for a bridleway that the landowner has recently shut off and the other has been shut off for ages by a farmer but as far as we can tell was never reclassified as anything. It would avoid a very nasty road section if it was re-opened and I'm pretty sure the landowner let the hunt use it last year but its inaccessible now. I guess he was hoping if it wasn't recorded by 2026 then it never would be

 

[MereChristmas]

Have you a local Bridleways Association?
I think they associated to the BHS. Maybe ask there or BHS website?

 

[Widgeon]

The deadline has been cancelled as far as I know, due to the extreme backlog, so don't panic if you haven't heard anything, but it won't harm to chase it up to check it's in the system.

They reinstated it recently, but pushed back to 2031. I wrote to our local MP who was entirely uninterested. The CLA has a rather different take on it to mine (!), but it's the first article I found detailing the reinstated deadline.

Government re-implements 2031 deadline to register England’s footpaths • CLA

Following intense CLA lobbying, Defra announces January 2031 cut-off date for adding unrecorded rights of way after previously announcing decision to repeal it

www.cla.org.uk

 

[PeterNatt]

SEL! Provided the local authorities Definative Map Officer provides you with a written confirmation that they have received your DMMO (Definitive Map Modification Order) then it will be in the system. I believe that you have stated that it is on the list of applications for your County Council so it may be eventually processed. However, the applicant has the opportunity of making a request to PINS The Public Inspector at Bristol to ask him/her to enforce the local authority to process the application and I would strongly suggest that this should be the applicants next move. As regards the government they have stated that they will slightly delay the cut off date but there is still no certainty on the matter, so if there are any routes that need to be placed on the definitive map (the map that records all public rights of ways (Public Footpaths, Bridleways, Restricted Byways and Byways) then get on with it straight away as you will requiire user evidence and in many cases people move away and can no longer be found or pass away. One application I made took 25 years to process and it was only because I applied to the Public Inspectopr that I eventuiallly suceeded in it becoming a Public Bridleway for future generations to use. So if you know of any paths that have been used by Horse Riders but is not a Public right of Way it is important to make a DMMO (Definitive Map Modification Order) so that future generations of horse riders can continue to use them). If you don't then you will loose them forever. Good Luck and if you need any help then please contact me on peter.natt@btinternet.com.

 

[Cloball]

There are 2 tracks near my house that had bridleway signs 2 years ago and are bridleways on the OS map but now have footpath signs. What would cause the change and how do I change it back

 

[Widgeon]

There are 2 tracks near my house that had bridleway signs 2 years ago and are bridleways on the OS map but now have footpath signs. What would cause the change and how do I change it back

That's most likely just an error by the member of council staff or volunteer who put the little coloured arrows up. I would contact your local rights of way organisation and the council and ask to have the correct arrows reinstated. That's happened round us too and it's laziness or ignorance on the part of the individual replacing the signs.

P.S. Check the definitive map and you can refer to that when you contact them

 

[Cloball]

Can you check the definitive path online @Widgeon?

 

[SEL]

SEL! Provided the local authorities Definative Map Officer provides you with a written confirmation that they have received your DMMO (Definitive Map Modification Order) then it will be in the system. I believe that you have stated that it is on the list of applications for your County Council so it may be eventually processed. However, the applicant has the opportunity of making a request to PINS The Public Inspector at Bristol to ask him/her to enforce the local authority to process the application and I would strongly suggest that this should be the applicants next move. As regards the government they have stated that they will slightly delay the cut off date but there is still no certainty on the matter, so if there are any routes that need to be placed on the definitive map (the map that records all public rights of ways (Public Footpaths, Bridleways, Restricted Byways and Byways) then get on with it straight away as you will requiire user evidence and in many cases people move away and can no longer be found or pass away. One application I made took 25 years to process and it was only because I applied to the Public Inspectopr that I eventuiallly suceeded in it becoming a Public Bridleway for future generations to use. So if you know of any paths that have been used by Horse Riders but is not a Public right of Way it is important to make a DMMO (Definitive Map Modification Order) so that future generations of horse riders can continue to use them). If you don't then you will loose them forever. Good Luck and if you need any help then please contact me on peter.natt@btinternet.com.

Brilliant! Thank you.

One of the routes has not long been closed off by a new landowner and I know locals are desperate to get that re-opened to avoid a busy road.

The other the applicant has plenty of evidence it used to be a bridleway but it's been fenced off for ages. I'll send her what you've said. I suspect the farmer will resist strongly and I'm not sure she'll be able to gather much user evidence

 

[Orangehorse]

The deadline has been cancelled as far as I know, due to the extreme backlog, so don't panic if you haven't heard anything, but it won't harm to chase it up to check it's in the system.

It was - but it has now been reinstated as 2031 unfortunately.

 

[Widgeon]

Can you check the definitive path online @Widgeon?

Yes you can - I know where my LA keeps theirs but I'm not sure about others; however a quick Google has come up with this old but possibly still useful directory. If those links are dead, or your LA is not there (it's not a definitive list), I would just Google "definitive map online *name of your local* council".

Definitive maps online :: Geograph Britain and Ireland

User contributed article about, List of links to local authorities online maps of Rights of Way

www.geograph.org.uk

 

[poacher82]

One of the routes has not long been closed off by a new landowner and I know locals are desperate to get that re-opened to avoid a busy road.

SEL is/was this particular route a bridleway, or an unrecorded track that people have ridden for yonks? If it's an official bridleway the new landowner has closed, then blocking it is illegal and needs to be reported to the local council rights of way department - there's info on the BHS website at https://www.bhs.org.uk/about-us/our-access-work/reporting-access-issues/

 

[SEL]

SEL is/was this particular route a bridleway, or an unrecorded track that people have ridden for yonks? If it's an official bridleway the new landowner has closed, then blocking it is illegal and needs to be reported to the local council rights of way department - there's info on the BHS website at https://www.bhs.org.uk/about-us/our-access-work/reporting-access-issues/

It's a mixture of both I believe. Council have been informed but their history on taking action is poor

 

[poacher82]

Infuriating for you SEL!
RE the blocked-but-official bridleway - unfortunately ROW teams at councils are notoriously understaffed and underfunded and many are snowed under. It has been said (although no scientific proof of this!) that the more often you complain, and the more individuals who complain, the higher up the triage list the complaint gets... Mentioning dangers/safety may also help! Good luck!

 

[SEL]

Infuriating for you SEL!
RE the blocked-but-official bridleway - unfortunately ROW teams at councils are notoriously understaffed and underfunded and many are snowed under. It has been said (although no scientific proof of this!) that the more often you complain, and the more individuals who complain, the higher up the triage list the complaint gets... Mentioning dangers/safety may also help! Good luck!

I have a feeling loud complaints will be the best way forward - I know a few people who are very good at that