About Definitive Maps

What is the the Definitive Map?

In 1949 all county councils in England and Wales were duty bound to survey and map all public rights of way in their area. There was a requirement to classify paths as footpaths, bridleways or roads used as public paths (the latter now called byways open to all traffic (BOATs)). The surveys had three stages: draft, provisional and definitive. At the “definitive” stage maps would be taken as conclusive evidence that a path shown was a public right of way at the date the map was prepared. A statement in respect of each path recording particulars was deemed to be conclusive evidence of such matters as the position, width, conditions and limitations on a path. In summary a definitive map and statement is regarded as the legal record of public rights of way, which can only be changed by and according to an Order made by the Council. The Council has a duty to continuously review and update the definitive map and statement as an accurate record of the public rights of way network.