[Talk-GB] Private roads that are private for maintenance but are publicly accessible

[Ian Spencer]

Richard Mann wrote on 26/05/2010 13:08:
> access=yes is the general default, and you could probably leave it at
> that (ie with no access tag).
>
> access=permissive might be strictly more accurate, though I've never
> seen much point to that as a tag (we're a map of the here and now, not
> a map of what the owner might do in future)
>
> maybe designation=private or designation=unadopted (not that anyone
> will probably do anything with that, it's just a structured note),
> though you can't use those if it's also a public right of way
> (designation=public_footpath)
>
> Richard
>    
>
Permissive ways are a different subject, so I'd take issue with that 
being strictly more accurate. I do think it is useful to know if a way 
is permissive, in that you then need to be accepting of any diversions 
or other issues instead of blundering across believing it is your right 
so to do.

It would be confusing to mix up the legal status of a permissive way 
with a right of public access over privately maintained highways.

Many accesses around stations are permissive ways (often there is the 
little sign about not being dedicated as a public right of way, which in 
the end is the visible manifestation of a permissive way as opposed to a 
highway or public footpath) and the implication is that you cannot rely 
on access 24/7, though in practical terms, you are right, it would be 
obvious as to whether a walkway would be closable and the issue might 
well be academic.


Spenny