Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

54 Duty to reclassify roads used as public paths. E+W

(1) As regards every definitive map and statement, the surveying authority shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the commencement date,—

(a) carry out a review of such of the particulars contained in the map and statement as relate to roads used as public paths; and

(b) by order make such modifications to the map and statement as appear to the authority to be requisite to give effect to subsections (2) and (3);

and the provisions of Schedule 15 shall have effect as to the making, validity and date of coming into operation of orders under this subsection.

(2) A definitive map and statement shall show every road used as a public path by one of the three following descriptions, namely—

(a) a byway open to all traffic;

(b) a bridleway;

(c) a footpath,

and shall not employ the expression “road used as a public path” to describe any way.

(3) A road used as a public path shall be shown in the definitive map and statement as follows—

(a) if a public right of way for vehicular traffic has been shown to exist, as a byway open to all traffic;

(b) if paragraph (a) does not apply and public bridleway rights have not been shown not to exist, as a bridleway; and

(c) if neither paragraph (a) nor paragraph (b) applies, as a footpath.

(4) Each way which, in pursuance of an order under subsection (1), is shown in the map and statement by any of the three descriptions shall, as from the coming into operation of the order, be a highway maintainable at the public expense; and each way which, in pursuance of paragraph 9 of Part III of Schedule 3 to the 1968 Act, is so shown shall continue to be so maintainable.

(5) In this section “road used as a public path” means a way which is shown in the definitive map and statement as a road used as a public path.

(6) In subsections (2)(a) and (5) of section 51 of the 1949 Act (long distance routes) references to roads used as public paths shall include references to any way shown in a definitive map and statement as a byway open to all traffic.

(7) Nothing in this section or section 53 shall limit the operation of traffic orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act [F1 1984] or oblige a highway authority to provide, on a way shown in a definitive map and statement as a byway open to all traffic, a metalled carriage-way or a carriage-way which is by any other means provided with a surface suitable for the passage of vehicles.

Textual Amendments

F1 “1984” substituted by Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (c. 27, SIF 107:1), s. 146, Sch. 13 para. 53

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 54: functions of local authority not to be responsibility of an executive of the authority (E.) (16.11.2000) by S.I. 2000/2853, reg. 2(1), Sch. 1 Head I