The deadline to register historic rights of way is to be scrapped following warnings that thousands of miles of footpaths could be lost due to the impending deadline.
The last government set a deadline of 2031 for all England's rights of way to be added to official maps, after abandoning an earlier promise to scrap the policy.
Once recorded as a right-of-way and added to the final map, the road is legally protected for people to use.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced the registration deadline would be scrapped in an announcement to mark the traditional, well-attended Boxing Day walk.
Activists who are trying to protect 40,000 miles of roads that are not on official maps hailed the move as a “great step”. Landowners denounced this as the latest attack on farmers.
a Backlog of thousands of requests, Many attempts, some dating back to the 1980s, to put roads and carriageways on maps in time for the 2031 deadline are likely to be overlooked by cash-strapped councils. I meant it.
Some of these trails are frequently used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders and date back hundreds or even thousands of years, but are not officially recorded or protected. yeah.
The Conservative government had promised to scrap road registration deadlines, but instead imposed a new deadline of 2031.
The new government has now announced that this new deadline will be scrapped, subject to parliamentary time. Mr Defra acknowledged local authorities were struggling with the burden of recording historic rights of way by the 2031 deadline.
Baroness Heyman, Defra Minister for Access, said: “These well-trodden routes, many of which are centuries old, are part of our shared heritage and it is important that we bring these measures forward.” Protect the future. ”
Ramblers chief executive Ross Maloney said: “The Government's decision to end threats to thousands of miles of historic rights of way in England will ensure everyone can enjoy the benefits of walking in nature. This is a great step forward.”
“These paths are not only an integral part of our shared heritage, they will also play an important role in the future in helping people live healthier and happier lives. .”
The Country Land and Business Association denounced the removal of the deadline as a setback.
Gavin Lane, vice president of the group, said: “Campaigners have spent decades documenting rights of way, but the decision to scrap the 2031 deadline is an important step in dialogue with those affected. “This is being done without any assistance, creating significant uncertainty for farmers and the land.” managers. ”
“The majority of landowners are passionate about promoting responsible access and are working alongside Defra and campaigners to ensure people can continue to experience the benefits of the countryside for decades to come.”
Mr Lane said there was already a “huge amount of public access” in the countryside, with 140,000 miles of footpaths and 3.5 million acres of public access land in England and Wales alone.
The Local Government Association said the registration of right-of-way is an important decision that requires research and appropriate funding.
A spokesperson said: “Due to conflicting financial pressures and insufficient funding, there are limited resources available to councils to process right-of-way applications and a growing backlog of cases means that 2031 It is unlikely that this goal will be achieved.”
