Public rights of way consultation begins

A consultation on rights of way law has been announced by the MP for Newbury Richard Benyon, acting in his role as Government environment minster.
Ramblers associations have warned that miles of well-walked routes across the county, which have never been officially recorded as footpaths and bridleways, could be lost to the public if action is not taken.
Under current rules all unrecorded footpaths and bridleways created before 1949 cannot be recorded after January 1, 2026.
The director of policy and campaigns at walking charity Ramblers, Nicky Philpott, said that although the 2026 cut-off date may seem years away, backlogs in the recording-process coupled with cuts to local authority staff mean that many of the paths already identified could still be lost.
“Progress is slow. If nothing is done to change this process then miles of well-used, but unrecorded paths, will be lost to the public when we reach 2026,” Mr Philpott said.
“Whether it’s a short cut to your village shop or a scenic route by the local river, it’s important that the paths you walk are recorded so that they can be maintained and protected for future generations.
“Unrecorded paths can be built upon, closed or changed at any time and once they are gone they are lost forever.”
Landowners’ applications to move a right of way will continue to be approved only if they do not affect the public’s enjoyment of it, and under the new plans “redundant” routes and “unsubstantiated” rights of way claims will be prevented from getting in the way of farming and business interests.
Mr Benyon argued that the changes in recording rights of way would help protect access for the thousands of people who walk, ride and cycle in the countryside every week.
“Protecting and improving access to the countryside is the latest in a programme of Government measures to grow the rural economy,” he said.
“These routes have huge benefits to the health and wellbeing of those that use them and can help stimulate the local economy, bringing in more visitors to enjoy rural areas.”
The consultation will run from May 14 until mid August.