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County Council’s Responsibilities

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW Act) requires highway authorities to have regard for the needs of people with mobility problems.  In addition, the Disability Discrimination Act, 1996 (DDA), directs service providers to take reasonable steps to ensure disabled people are able to make use of a service.  Leicestershire County Council is committed to improving access to the countryside and the Rights of Way network for all.  Where possible we favour the removal of any barriers leaving easy access gaps.  However, when stock proofing is required, gates are considered preferable to stiles.

The County Council operates a Headland Management Project to improve and maintain field-edge footpaths and bridleways.  Farmers are encouraged to work in partnership with the County Council to keep the paths free from overgrowth.  An annual payment is made to the participating farmers to cut back the vegetation in spring and late summer.

For more information contact
Rights of Way Enforcement Officer
Tel. 0116 305 7056
Email. richard.williams@leics.gov.uk

The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 brought about the legal obligation for each County Council to produce a Definitive Map and Statement.

The Definitive Map is made up of a series of sheets showing routes in the county.  It provides conclusive evidence of the existence of a public right of way.  However, the reverse is not true.  A way not recorded on the definitive map could still be a public right of way, although it's status would need to be proved.  There could be additional rights over land that have not yet been recorded on the map, or it may be that the status of the right of way was incorrectly recorded at the time of writing the map.

The Definitive Statement accompanies the Map, describing the rights of way.  It may define the position or width, or any limitation or conditions attached to the rights of way.  Again, there may be information relating to the right of way that has not been included in the Statement.

The Definitive Map and Statement can be viewed:

The Definitive Map and Statement are continually being updated to include any modifications to the routes.  These might include routes being added, deleted, re-classified or re-directed.  Some of these changes come about from the discovery of errors or omissions in the previously recorded information, or by application being made.  However, since the map is deemed to be legally conclusive of the existence of the public rights of way shown on it, good evidence is required to support any application to add, move or remove a right of way.