Knutsford Town Council is seeking to register new public rights of way

Knutsford Town Council is starting the process of seeking to register ten new public rights of way across the town and needs help from path users to provide evidence.

The Town Council plans to submit a ‘Definitive Map Modification Order’ application to record ten well used routes. Often, historic public rights of way remain unrecorded despite long standing use by the community, and the need to register a path doesn’t get flagged until there is a threat to access.

The council is therefore working proactively to ensure that where evidence supports it, these routes are formally protected for future generations.

Whilst applications are quite straight forward, the process to amend the Definitive Map is detailed and can take several years to complete once submitted to Cheshire East Council. Recently Cheshire East Council considered an application submitted in 2021 to record a path from Bexton Lane, added the latest official path to the map.

Applications require the submission of robust evidence demonstrating continuous public use for a period of 20 years, alongside other historic evidence of their existence.  The Town Council has identified ten paths which it believes would meet the legal tests and are not currently adopted highways or recorded public rights of way.

The first route, for which evidence is now being gathered, runs from Mallard Close over the railway to the entrance to Tatton Park.

The council is inviting residents and members of the public who have used this path over the past 20 years  or more (i.e. since 2006 or before) to contact the Town Council on:

01565 653 929

enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

... to obtain an evidence form.

Statements, photographs, maps or any historical documentation relating to the route may assist in supporting the application.

Town Mayor, Cllr Bryan Hartley said:

“This is a great opportunity to help preserve the route that has provided access into Tatton Park for the local community for many years. I would urge anyone who is able to support the application, to get in touch with the town council to obtain the evidence form”

The full list of routes the council plans to prepare evidence for is at available at: 

www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/prow

Pictured - Knutsford Town Mayor, Cllr Bryan Hartley.