Definitive map

A definitive map is a record of public rights of way in England and Wales. In law it is the definitive record of where a right of way is located. The highway authority (normally the county council, or unitary authority in areas with a one-tier system) has a statutory duty to maintain a definitive map. In national parks, the National Park Authority usually maintains the map. The Inner London boroughs are exempt from the statutory duty, though they have the powers to maintain a map: currently none does so. Details of the definitive map process are set out in the Natural England document A guide to definitive maps and changes to public rights of way.^[1]

Each right of way also has a written description referred to as the definitive statement. Generally the definitive map takes legal precedence over the definitive statement.

• [1] Public Paths and the Definitive Map from the Ramblers Association
• [2] Definitive Map Orders: Consistency Guidelines from the Planning Inspectorate
• [3] List of online Definitive Maps for each UK county
• [4] Natural England document A guide to definitive maps and changes to public rights of way

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