Changing public foot path

[turbull]

I have a public footpath running through a field . Is it possible to change the direction so it runs down the edge .

[Matthew Arnold]

Yes. Best people to talk to would be your local county council rights of way dept.

[turbull]

Thanks for the reply

[skyhuck]

Its not easy.

 

I'm involved in a new school build, the LA have diverted a path and they are having problems, if someone decides they don't want it diverted they can make life very difficult.

[Jamie M]

As Matt said, speak to your local (county) council rights of way team. It can be a long winded affair, as they will need to refer to the definitive maps and contact uncle Tom Cobbly and all to publicise the proposed changes but generally can be done.

[Marko]

Might be worth also contacting your local Ramblers club... they will be involved in any case so perhaps better to front foot their views. If you can get them onside then it might help keep the few pedants who see no earthly justification in changing ancient rights of way at bay.

[teepeeat]

We looked into doing this a few years ago and were told by the rights of way people that the process could take up to a year and cost up to £2500 as they have to publish your proposal everywhere for a certain amount of time, wait for feedback etc etc and then as said above it just takes 1 objector to stick a spoke in the works

[Andy Collins]

Where I grew up we had a footpath run through our barn. Apparently this dated way way back in the mists of time, but it was done so travellers from village to village, (about 3 miles) had a form of shelter in bad weather. Fast forward to modern Britain, Dad sold the barn to a builder, who converted it into a holday home, without diverting footpath. We tried to tell him, we really did, but he maintained they wouldnt have right of access any more. Rights of way got involved, and he was made to change things so walkers could still shelter. He even tried changing retrospectively, but ROW would have none of it. It didnt help his case that a) he annoyed the neighbouring farmer, b) he annoyed us by defaulting on a payment (sorted by the solicitors) and c) as said the Ramblers got on the case. He was scuppered. An extreme example, but a lot of paths are ancient routes, and are quite fiercely protected.

[openspaceman]

Might be worth also contacting your local Ramblers club... they will be involved in any case so perhaps better to front foot their views. If you can get them onside then it might help keep the few pedants who see no earthly justification in changing ancient rights of way at bay.

 

Yes Open Spaces Society and Ramblers Association are both statutary consultees.

 

You'll need to make the application, advertise it for six weeks and if there is an objection deal with that. If the objection is not withdrawn then it can go to public enquiry.

[agg221]

You also need a really good justification. "Because it's a bit inconvenient" or "they trample some of my crop" really won't cut it, as my parents' next door neighbours found to their cost.

 

Alec