The Highways Act 1980, vested in the Local Highway Authorities usually the local council, the power to create, stop up or divert highways and public rights of way, as well as bridleways, and to maintain these at public expense.
The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 created an obligation on the Local Highway Authority to maintain a register of definitive maps identifying all public rights of way and created offences where landowners may be prosecuted for obstructing a footpath.
Here at Godloves we have the expertise to deal with Definitive Map Modification Orders, involving the making of or objecting to the stopping up or diversion of a public right of way. We advise clients on the Highway Authority’s obligations to maintain bridleways, grass verges and public footpaths as well as advising clients on private rights of way, security issues and trespassing.
