Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

56 Effect of definitive map and statement. E+W

(1) A definitive map and statement shall be conclusive evidence as to the particulars contained therein to the following extent, namely—

(a) where the map shows a footpath, the map shall be conclusive evidence that there was at the relevant date a highway as shown on the map, and that the public had thereover a right of way on foot, so however that this paragraph shall be without prejudice to any question whether the public had at that date any right of way other than that right;

(b) where the map shows a bridleway, the map shall be conclusive evidence that there was at the relevant date a highway as shown on the map, and that the public had thereover at that date a right of way on foot and a right of way on horseback or leading a horse, so however that this paragraph shall be without prejudice to any question whether the public had at that date any right of way other than those rights;

(c) where the map shows a byway open to all traffic, the map shall be conclusive evidence that there was at the relevant date a highway as shown on the map, and that the public had thereover at that date a right of way for vehicular and all other kinds of traffic;

(d) where the map shows a [F1 restricted byway], the map shall [F2 , subject to subsection (2A),] be conclusive evidence that there was at the relevant date a highway as shown on the map, and that the public had thereover at that date a right of way on foot and a right of way on horseback or leading a horse [F3 together with a right of way for vehicles other than mechanically propelled vehicles], so however that this paragraph shall be without prejudice to any question whether the public had at that date any right of way other than those rights; and

(e) where by virtue of the foregoing paragraphs the map is conclusive evidence, as at any date, as to a highway shown thereon, any particulars contained in the statement as to the position or width thereof shall be conclusive evidence as to the position or width thereof at that date, and any particulars so contained as to limitations or conditions affecting the public right of way shall be conclusive evidence that at the said date the said right was subject to those limitations or conditions, but without prejudice to any question whether the right was subject to any other limitations or conditions at that date.

[F4 (1A) In subsection (1)(d) “mechanically propelled vehicle” does not include an electrically assisted pedal cycle of a class prescribed for the purposes of section 189(1)(c) of the M1 Road Traffic Act 1988.]

(2) For the purposes of this section “the relevant date”—

(a) in relation to any way which is shown on the map otherwise than in pursuance of an order under the foregoing provisions of this Part [F5 or an order to which section 53A applies which includes provision made by virtue of subsection (2) of that section], means [F6 , subject to subsection (2A),] the date specified in the statement as the relevant date for the purposes of the map;

(b) in relation to any way which is shown on the map in pursuance of such an order, means the date which, in accordance with subsection (3) [F7 or (3A)], is specified in the order as the relevant date for the purposes of the order.

[F8 (2A) In the case of a map prepared before the date of the coming into force of section 47 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000—

(a) subsection (1)(d) and (e) have effect subject to the operation of any enactment or instrument, and to any other event, whereby a way shown on the map as a restricted byway has, on or before that date—

(i) been authorised to be stopped up, diverted or widened, or

(ii) become a public path, and

(b) subsection (2)(a) has effect in relation to any way so shown with the substitution of that date for the date mentioned there.]

(3) Every order under the foregoing provisions of this Part shall specify, as the relevant date for the purposes of the order, such date, not being earlier than six months before the making of the order, as the authority may determine.

[F9 (3A) Every order to which section 53A applies which includes provision made by virtue of subsection (2) of that section shall specify, as the relevant date for the purposes of the order, such date as the authority may in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State determine.]

(4) A document purporting to be certified on behalf of the surveying authority to be a copy of or of any part of a definitive map or statement as modified in accordance with the provisions of this Part shall be receivable in evidence and shall be deemed, unless the contrary is shown, to be such a copy.

[F10 (4A) Regulations under this section shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.]

(5) F11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 56(1)(d) substituted (2. 5.2006 for E. and 11.5.2006 for W.) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 51, 103(3), Sch. 5 Pt. I para. 6(2)(a); S.I. 2006/1172, art. 2; S.I. 2006/1279, art. 2

F2 Words in s. 56(1)(d) inserted (2.5.2006 for E. and 11.5.2006 for W.) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 51, 103(3), Sch. 5 Pt. I para. 6(2)(b); S.I. 2006/1172, art. 2; S.I. 2006/1279, art. 2

F3 Words in s. 56(1)(d) inserted (2.5.2006 for E. and 11.5.2006 for W.) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 51, 103(3), Sch. 5 Pt. I para. 6(2)(c); S.I. 2006/1172, art. 2; S.I. 2006/1279, art. 2

F4 S. 56(1A) inserted (2.5.2006 for E. and 11.5.2006 for W.) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 51, 103(3), Sch. 5 Pt. I para. 6(3); S.I. 2006/1172, art. 2; S.I. 2006/1279, art. 2

F5 Words in s. 56(2)(a) inserted (2.5.2006 for E. and 11.5.2006 for W.) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 51, 103(3), Sch. 5 Pt. I para. 6(4)(a)(i); S.I. 2006/1172, art. 2; S.I. 2006/1279, art. 2

F6 Words in s. 56(2)(a) inserted (2.5.2006 for E. and 11.5.2006 for W.) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 51, 103(3), Sch. 5 Pt. I para. 6(4)(a)(ii); S.I. 2006/1172, art. 2; S.I. 2006/1279, art. 2

F7 Words in s. 56(2)(b) inserted (2.5.2006 for E. and 11.5.2006 for W.) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 51, 103(3), Sch. 5 Pt. I para. 6(4)(b); S.I. 2006/1172, art. 2; S.I. 2006/1279, art. 2

F8 S. 56(2A) inserted (2.5.2006 for E. and 11.5.2006 for W.) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 51, 103(3), Sch. 5 Pt. I para. 6(5); S.I. 2006/1172, art. 2; S.I. 2006/1279, art. 2

F9 S. 56(3A) inserted (2.5.2006 for E. and 11.5.2006 for W.) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 51, 103(3), Sch. 5 Pt. I para. 6(6); S.I. 2006/1172, art. 2; S.I. 2006/1279, art. 2

F10 S. 56(4A) inserted (2.5.2006 for E. and 11.5.2006 for W.) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 51, 103(3), Sch. 5 Pt. I para. 6(7); S.I. 2006/1172, art. 2; S.I. 2006/1279, art. 2

F11 S. 56(5) repealed (2.5.2006 for E. and 11.5.2006 for W.) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 51, 102, 103(3), Sch. 5 Pt. I para. 6(8), Sch. 16 Pt. II; S.I. 2006/1172, art. 2; S.I. 2006/1279, art. 2

Marginal Citations

M1 1988 c. 52.