How to find out who owns a footpath

tomg35

Not sure if this is the correct forum to ask.
We live in a cul de sac, between us and a neighbour is a footpath that runs from our road to a neighbouring estate. 
It's mainly used by cyclists and pedestrians but often railway maintenance vans go down it, to the line that runs by the other estate.
The track does get overgrown and when we get our hedges done, we get the guy to strim the bit of the path that runs by our property.
Don't mind but it is putting the bill up and doesn't resolve the rest of the path.
How do I find out who owns the path and get them to clean it up once in a while?

tealady

Starting point would be to ask your Council.
Also download the title deeds for your house from the Land Registry (£3 from memory, or do a nap search
Always go to www.gov.uk link is on there

user1977

Bear in mind that whoever owns the footpath, the chances are they don't owe you any duty to maintain it.

badmemory

user1977 said:

Bear in mind that whoever owns the footpath, the chances are they don't owe you any duty to maintain it.

True but at least you know who to have a whinge to

sevenhills

tomg35 said:

Don't mind but it is putting the bill up and doesn't resolve the rest of the path.
How do I find out who owns the path and get them to clean it up once in a while?

If you contact your local council, they are obliged to contact the owners of the land and have them clear the dirt track. But it does sound like the track is passable, so they might just ignore your request, as some local authorities are almost broke.

Section62

sevenhills said:

tomg35 said:

Don't mind but it is putting the bill up and doesn't resolve the rest of the path.
How do I find out who owns the path and get them to clean it up once in a while?

If you contact your local council, they are obliged to contact the owners of the land and have them clear the dirt track. But it does sound like the track is passable, so they might just ignore your request, as some local authorities are almost broke.

The council wouldn't have an obligation to contact the owners unless (1) the track is a public footpath or (2) is being used for flytipping or other anti-social behaviour.

If the track is a public footpath then the council may well do some maintenance themselves.

gwynlas

If you own the hedge it is your duty to maintain it regardless of who owns the footpath so you would not be able to allow outer side to grow rampant. 

sevenhills

gwynlas said:

If you own the hedge it is your duty to maintain it regardless of who owns the footpath so you would not be able to allow outer side to grow rampant. 

That may be the case, but if it's growing over your neighbours land, that is not the case. It's complicated!