London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The British government has lifted the deadline for adding historical footpaths to the official maps, protecting thousands of unrecorded rights of way across England.
A huge number of popular routes for walkers, cyclists, and equestrians have never been formally recognized or protected
The government’s decision to lift the due time for mapping rights of way in England gives hope for the preservation of thousands of footpaths previously under threat of disappearing.
BBC reports that people had until 2031 to include historic, unrecognized public paths and bridleways on the nation’s official “definitive map.”
According to government sources, removing the deadline would provide local authorities with more time to assess whether the paths complied with the necessary criteria.
This move has been praised by walking campaigners, but the National Farmers Union (NFU) expressed concerns that lifting the deadline would result in years of disruption for agricultural businesses.
Legislation passed in 1949 required councils to develop a “definitive map” outlining public rights of way in their regions.
The records have been continuously reviewed, allowing anyone with the right proof to apply for a path to be included.
The last government’s deadline made it hard for local councils to map historic paths, which cover more than 40,000 miles.
As reported by The Telegraph, rural organizations argue that extending the deadline with no end date causes “significant uncertainty for farmers,” who can not make plans for their land until rights of way are officially confirmed.
The deputy president of Country Land and Business Association (CLA), Gavin Lane stated, “This is a backward step and is the latest attack on the countryside and farmers.”
He added, “Campaigners have had decades to record rights of way, and the decision to scrap the 2031 cut-off date has been made without engaging with those who will be affected, inflicting significant uncertainty on farmers and land managers.”
The past Tories government had initially planned to eliminate the deadline for registering historic paths but later decided to extend it from 2026 to 2031 to ensure more certainty for property owners, local authorities, and residents.
However, the Local Government Association warned that due to the financial crisis, councils lacked the resources to proceed application in time, making the 2031 deadline a challenging task to achieve.
The research found by the BBC revealed that more than 8,000 appeals for adding paths to the official map were pending as of this March.
When a right of way is confirmed, the council and estate owner are legally obligated for its maintenance.
Proper maintenance of these paths will help more people experience the advantages of outdoor activities.
According to Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, failing to record paths could lead to developers building on them or being used for planting crops by landholders.
She added, “We need to get those paths put on the map so we know where they are, so we can use and enjoy them.”
The government intends to remove the cut-off date when Parliament has the time to discuss it.
David Exwood, deputy president of the NFU, urged the need to balance public access to the demands of farming.
He added, “This current plan simply perpetuates an outdated focus on routes that haven’t been used for centuries.”