Public Rights of Way in Newcastle

Public Rights of Way in Newcastle

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What is a Public Right of Way?

A public path, or Public Right of Way, is a route over which the public have a right to pass and re-pass. Public Rights of Way are part of the wider public highway network. The Public Rights of Way network in Newcastle is made up of three categories of path. The public rights on these paths are:

  • Footpath – on foot only
  • Bridleway – on foot, horse and pedal cycle.
  • Restricted Byway – on foot, horse, pedal cycle and non-mechanically propelled vehicles

The legal status of a route does not guarantee that it will be accessible to all who can legally use it. The character and location of a path (for example on a slope or a remote location) may mean that some people may not be able to access all or any of it. However the Council will consider improvements to the path network where resources and opportunity allow, to increase accessibility.

Definitive Map and Statement

The legal record of Public Rights of Way is known as the Definitive Map and Statement and is maintained by the Council. It is conclusive evidence of the rights of way shown on it but without prejudice to the existence of other unrecorded rights. Not all paths are shown on it however and there may be paths that have been used by the public for many years and so have acquired public rights, but have not been recorded. The Definitive Map is available for inspection by appointment during normal office hours.
There is also an online map of the Public Rights of Way that exist in Newcastle.

Changes to the network and the Definitive Map and Statement

Public Rights of Way are protected by law. Unless stopped up by legal means, they remain highways even if they are infrequently used or not obvious on the ground. Public Rights of Way can be moved, added to or deleted from the Definitive Map, or have their status amended but the correct legal procedure must be followed.

Definitive Map Modification Orders

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 allows anyone to apply to the Council to make a Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) to change the Definitive Map and Statement if they believe it is incorrect. A DMMO will be made where reasonable evidence shows that a route;

  • has not been recorded but should have been,
  • has been recorded but should not have been,
  • should be recorded as a different status, or
  • should be more precisely defined

The following documents are available to download for anyone who thinks they may have evidence that the Definitive Map and Statement is in some way incorrect or believe that a route may be a Public Right of Way but has not been recorded.

Register of Definitive Map Modification Order applications

The Council maintains a register of DMMO applications. The purpose of this register is to increase public knowledge about applications which could result in changes to the Definitive Map and Statement. The register is available for anyone wishing to see it by appointment during normal office hours.

Diversions

Landowners can apply to the Council to divert a Public Right of Way under the Highways Act 1980, if they can show that it is in their interest, for example, moving a footpath out of a busy farmyard or moving a cross-field path to a route around the field edge, and that the new route is not substantially less convenient for users. Public consultation is part of the process and anyone can object to a proposed diversion. Landowners will have to pay the costs of processing and advertising a diversion order. The following document which provides more information for landowners is available to download.

Public Rights of Way can also be diverted or stopped up under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, if they will be affected by development, such as building a new housing estate. The following document which provides more information for developers is available to download.

Creation Agreements

Landowners can dedicate new rights of way across their land through a creation agreement. Once a route has been added to the Definitive Map, the responsibility for the upkeep of its surface is usually taken over by the Council. For further information contact the Public Rights of Way Officer.

Section 31(6) deposits - records of rights of way across land

The Highways Act 1980 provides a mechanism by which a landowner can deposit a statement and map acknowledging ways across their land (if any) which they admit to having been dedicated as highways (hereafter referred to as a "s.31(6) Highways Act Statement"). Landowners may then within 20 years of the deposit of the map and statement, lodge a formal declaration to the effect that no additional way (other than any which they specifically identify in that declaration) over the land shown on the map has been dedicated as highway since the date of the initial or previous statement (a "s.31(6) Highways Act Declaration").
Unless there is proof of a contrary intention, this statement and declaration will be sufficient evidence to negate the intention of an owner or his successors in title to dedicate any such additional way as highway.
As from 1st October 2013, s.31(6) Highways Act Statements and s.31(6) Highways Act Declarations must be submitted on Form CA16. Landowners may if they choose, use the form to make a statement both in relation to Village Greens* and in relation to Highways.

An application to deposit a statement and map should be made by completing Form CA16 and returned to the Public Rights of Way Officer at the address given below.

The completed Form CA16 must also be accompanied by the following: (for guidance, visit the guidance document on how to complete the form):

  • An Ordnance Survey Map on a scale of not less than 1:10,560 showing the boundary of the land to which the application relates in coloured edging, or refer to a map previously deposited with the Council accordance with section 31(6) Highways Act 1980.
  • The appropriate application fee. The fee amount will depend on the number of land parcels included within the deposit and also which Parts of Form CA16 are being submitted. For details of the fee please contact the Public Rights of Way Officer at the contact details given below before submitting Form CA16.

The Council keeps a register of all s.31(6) Highways Act Statements and Declarations at the Civic Centre which can be inspected free of charge for anyone wishing to see it by appointment during normal office hours.

* Newcastle City Council is the Commons Registration Authority responsible for determining applications to register town or village greens ('Village Green applications') within the Newcastle upon Tyne administrative area. For further details please contact Legal Services, Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE99 2BN.

Obstructions to Public Rights of Way

The Highway Authority has a duty to assert and protect the rights of the public to use and enjoy Public Rights of Way. If a Public Right of Way is found to be obstructed, it should be reported to the Public Rights of Way Officer. The Council will take appropriate measures, including enforcement, to protect the rights of the public to use the rights of way within Newcastle.

More information

For more information or if printed copies of any of the documents listed on this page are required please contact us. To do so:

  • email our public rights of way officer
  • call 0191 277 1184
  • write to Public Rights of Way, Investment and Growth Directorate - Transport, Newcastle City Council, 10th Floor, Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1QH

Documents and Links

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