How the definitive map gets modified

Image: © Graham Horn Taken: 16 Aug 2008

Look closely at the plan and you will see that the footpath crosses from Wiltshire into Hampshire at point B and back into Wiltshire 54 metres later at point A, the county boundary going roughly north then east. It has been discovered that the footpath is on the Wiltshire definitive map (footpath Winterslow FP13) but does not appear on the Hampshire definitive map. This notice, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, proposes a footpath modification order to add the missing bit to the Hampshire map, as West Tytherley FP18. This is important because otherwise the footpath will eventually be lost as a public right of way, but not if it is on the definitive map. The Countryside Rights Of Way Act 2003 put a limit of the year 2026 by which time the definitive maps will not accept any more changes. So the moral is, get those public rights of way checked and pester your local council if they are not on the definitive map. The Ordnance Survey maps (at all the main scales) show this footpath, including the Hampshire bit, so there is no guarantee that because it is on the OS map it is correct. The context of the bit of footpath this plan refers to can be seen here Image] I also have a photo of the page of text accompanying this map on the site, but it would be unreadable at Geograph scale, therefore I suggest that if anyone is interested in finding out more (using this as an example) they contact me.

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0