Footpath: I am very cross and not unreasonably I beleive.

[OrmIrian]

I decided to try to do at least part of my run on cross country footpaths this Sunday. Because it's better for the joints (and that sadly is an issue these days), it makes the run more interesting and I wanted a shortcut. So I got my trusty OS map, found a likely looking footpath and set off. Of the 3 paths marked on the map only one was marked on the ground (and then only if you searched for it ). It started out ok, disappeared after one field, the reappeared through a huge heap of bloody nettles, took me through a field of new wheat, then dropped me. I had a wander about, climbed over a likely looking gate, got lost and then found a very faded footpath sign on a fence post that had been pulled up and used as part of a make-shift gate . It was pointing into the ground.

I made my way back to a road wet, muddy, scratched and stung and pissed off!

Prior to this I have been eyed up by stroppy looking bullocks, attacked by barbed wire, and forced to risk my ankles on a path that had been plouged up (right up to the hedge). And I am more familiar with nettles than I care to be.

If landowners want people not to trample crops, climb over gates and fences and generally behave in a civilized fashion in their fields, doesn't it behove them to mark and maintain their footpaths in some sort of order?

Who do you complain to? As there is no way I can found out who owns the fields. Is it a county council thing? Can the Ramblers Association help?

Any ideas?

And I was drizzled on. But I can't blame the farmers for that I suppose.

It's not uncommon, sadly. Ra is a good place to start, also your Local Authority will have a footpaths officer. There's a farm near me who regularly takes down waymarkers, they get replaced by the LA every few years, couple of months down the line they're gone again

County council - I think - try their website - there should be something along the lines of a 'countryside access' officer or department. There are incredibly stringent rules which can be enforced.

Thanks Profyaffle. I will try footpaths officer. One of them invisble paths is actually on the OS map as 'Samaritans Way' and is on the RA website as part of a long route from Bristol to N Devon. Buggered if I could find it

I was told on an outdoor leaders course that farmers are legally obliged to maintain footpaths that cross their land and appear on OS maps. As others have said Local Authority is good first point of call as they are responsible for checking on farmers.

Also if you can notify local branch of the ramblers association as they are very very vocal about preserving footpaths and the whole right to roam malarky so they probably will be some help too.

Thanks. I have the number to ring at county council.

Ok. I rang. Nice chap, very helpful. Has logged my call so we'll see. Apparently there is an interactive map that I can use to log problems in future.

Just because a path is shown on teh OS map, doesn't automatically mean that it is a public right of way. The local Council will have a definitive RoW map, which shows all the footpaths/bridleways etc that you have a legal right to use.

From the CC website:

"We are responsible for maintaining public rights of way to a standard suitable for public use. A public footpath should therefore be suitable for walkers."

The paths marked on the OS are 'public footpaths'. It doesn't mean there is a right of way across the field in general, just along the footpath.

Anyway this one is - it's part of a nationally recognised route.

Oh good, glad you reported it, hope something get done about it.

Also just because it's marked as a footpath on the OS it doesn't mean there's an actual path. It just means you're allowed to go through the land.

But if there is a footpath and/or row it has to be accessible on foot - ie access not blocked and no dangerous beasties. According to the ROW man at the CC. Which was not the case.

But clearly I am not expecting a nice neat little tarmac path with convenient benches . Just nothing to seriously impede someone willing to make a bit of an effort.

i know someone who works for row , where is this , just roughly?

Don't like going through fields with Bullocks they might not be dangerous but they do like to chase you .

mufti - Somerset, Sedgemoor district.

No, neither do I ripeberry. Like teenagers with attitude, but heavier, and with harder feet.

ah , ok , he is wiltshire