[Talk-GB] How to work with Government Open Data (e.g. Boundaries, Rights of Way)

[Nick Whitelegg]

On 18/06/2012 13:28, Gregory wrote:
>> How do footpaths work legally with textual descriptions?
>> If a field has a stile/gate at opposite corners. The footpath may have 
>> originally cut across, legally the landowner has to allow access 
>> between the two gates, but can he make people walk round the edge of 
>> his field. Also in reverse, if the footpath was originally walking 
>> round the edge until people walked diagonally across and the landowner 
>> allowed that by leaving a gap in crops and blocking the edge.
>> Has the footpath/access changed?
>>

>No, it hasn't. A landowner can offer an alternative route, but that 
>doesn't affect the right of way which remains in the same place as it 
>always was. (Assuming they haven't taken legal steps to change it.) 
>Landowners are required to reinstate the surface of a footpath after 
>ploughing, and keep it clear of vegetation to a width of 1 metre if 
>crosses a field or 1.5 metres if it goes round the edge.

>Jonathan.

Which frequently they don't (thanks to TimSC for reminding me of this, just one example of many):

http://api.openstreetmap.org/api/0.6/way/111752914

Nick