Proposals to improve the information available about rights of way, and to simplify the way in which changes to rights of way are made, have been published today.
Two Defra consultation papers are seeking views on the proposals under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, including:
The registers, which will be available for public inspection, will log applications for rights of way, applications for public path orders, and landowners' declarations of rights of way over their land. They will help:
-
Increase knowledge among landowners, users and the general public about applications that could result in changes to the definitive map and the rights of way network.
-
Avoid duplication where more than one person may be investigating an application to change the map.
-
Increase certainty by making sure people know about ways which landowners do not intend to dedicate as public rights of way.
For local authorities registers should also help in the management of rights of way functions.
Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael said: "The definitive map is the local authorities' legal record of all rights of way, and the registers will be especially important in the light of the 2026 cut-off date for adding historic rights of way to the definitive map and statement."
"The joint orders provisions will ensure that the definitive map is updated continuously. Local authorities will be relieved of the burden of making an additional order - just to update the definitive map and statement - each time a change is made to the rights of way network. Uncertainty about what rights exist will be reduced, which will benefit both land managers and the public."
"I encourage all those with an interest in these proposals to engage with the consultations and ensure their views are made known."
Both consultations will run until 31 January 2005. Hard copies are available now from Defra Publications, Admail 6000, London SW1A 2XX, tel: 08459 556000, and will be available online from 10.00 on Thursday 4 November at .http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/cl/publicrow.htm.
Get
this news on your website !
Sponsored listings: