Ownership of a footpath/bridleway/cycleway

traceyaj

I have been trying to find out who owns a local path which for the majority of time is very poorly maintained. The path is very close to the boundary of two local council authorities. Both authorities deny responsibility for the path and will not give a clear answer to my question of who actually does own it. 
Surprisingly enough someone has recently cut back the overhanging branches and vegetation but I have no doubt that it will be allowed to get overgrown and dangerous again.  
I am advised that the land registry should be able to tell me who owns and has responsibility for the path. Can anyone give me advice on how to make an enquiry to them ? 

sevenhills

Last year I took my secateurs and branch cutters to clear a local footpath, as it's difficult to get public footpaths maintained, never mind public footpaths that go through fields.

The landowner has a responsibility to clear public footpaths, but I believe the local authority is the body responsible for enforcing that.

Take your strimmer/secateurs or branch cutters to this footpath of contact your local councillor, but they are short of money and some footpaths are a low priority.

So when you say poorly maintained, are you meaning puddles of water, overgrown grass or tree branches?

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-rights-of-way-landowner-responsibilities

outtatune

What do you mean they deny responsibility? What reason are they giving?

Every local authority has a definitive map showing the PROWs in their area. Is the path not on that?

daveyjp

Local Authorities don't own many paths, all a path is is a permissive route across land which they may or may not own,

Councils won't provide ownership details as its not data they have access to for the public, for that you need the Land Registry official site and carry out an Index Map search:

https://www.gov.uk/get-information-about-property-and-land/search-the-index-map

As you don't have an account that needs to be done by post.

traceyaj

outtatune said:

What do you mean they deny responsibility? What reason are they giving?

Every local authority has a definitive map showing the PROWs in their area. Is the path not on that?

Thanks, I would estimate that the path is about 20 years old. I cannot find the path on either authorities definitive maps. It has had a tarmac surface since being constructed and is about 1.8 metres wide at the moment as it has been cut back. Last summer the path was so blocked by branches, brambles and other vegetation that it was hard to pass through at all in parts. Both local authorities just deny responsibility and tentatively suggest asking the other authority.  

traceyaj

sevenhills said:

Last year I took my secateurs and branch cutters to clear a local footpath, as it's difficult to get public footpaths maintained, never mind public footpaths that go through fields.

The landowner has a responsibility to clear public footpaths, but I believe the local authority is the body responsible for enforcing that.

Take your strimmer/secateurs or branch cutters to this footpath of contact your local councillor, but they are short of money and some footpaths are a low priority.

So when you say poorly maintained, are you meaning puddles of water, overgrown grass or tree branches?

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-rights-of-way-landowner-responsibilities

It is poorly maintained due to overhanging branches, brambles, nettles and other vegetation. the surface is tarmac and is about 180 metres long. In summer it is out of control and barely passable. I cannot take my grandchildren walking along there as you can hardly avoid the nettles. One or two locals have a go at cutting the vegetation but it is just too much to handle without industrial tools. I have had enough of asking the councils and local councillors and just want to find out who owns it and who has responsibility to maintain. 

theoretica

The Ramblers Association might be a good starting point for resources:

https://www.ramblers.org.uk/what-we-care-about/rights-way-england-and-wales

Yorkie1

What happened to cause the path to be created? Is it, for example, in a new development? If so, do the planning documents provide any clues, for example?

traceyaj

Yorkie1 said:

What happened to cause the path to be created? Is it, for example, in a new development? If so, do the planning documents provide any clues, for example?

I think it was created at the same time as the East Lancs Road cycle path was created, basically it is just a 180 metre link between two Cycleways/bridleways.  A local has made a request to the land registry regarding this.
The local authorities have made this difficult. You would think it is top secret information the way they are so elusive.
Thank you for your interest.