The UK's Mystery Footpaths.... (That you CAN'T walk on!).

[@Rail_Focus]

Considering so little of the UK is accessible it's important we protect as many rights of way as possible. Great video

[@UkSapyy]

It's important we change the law back.

[@Simon_Nonymous]

I'd suggest that a lot the UK is very accessible (compared to other places I have been) with its public rights of way mapped and legislated for - then completely agree with you that this is a piece of our heritage that does indeed need protecting.

[@gaugeonesteam]

1) "Stop look & listen" railway crossing by definition means you can cross and the gates should not be locked. 2) This is why my late parents spent 30 years of their Sundays walking "Rights of way" to try and keep them open. Their "Dorset Rights of Way" group used to physically move illegal barriers and cut down over-growth in order to keep footpaths open. (PS: I visited the Southampton dis-used station of the old London & Southampton Railway this week - now a Casino) Paul & Rebecca - keep going with this. it's a great cause I reckon!!!

[@Crispvs1]

My grandmother's cousin Philip Daniell may have been part of the same group, as he went out walking rights of ways most weekends.

[@gaugeonesteam]

@@Crispvs1 I think the official title of the group was "East Dorset Rights of way group" leader was Mr Nigel Hodgkiss, We normally ended up in a country pub late afternoon where lots of scrumpy would be consumed and Nigel would play his Penny whistle and we'd have a sing song. (We had a contract with a coach company that would drop us off in the morning and pick us all up later in the day. normally about 30 of us).

[@philipjones9458]

When I was Rights of Way officer for Wrexham County Borough Council in the late 90's we served notices on landowners in conjunction with Ramblers for obstructions. I attended court in a case where a farmer had threatened the use of a shotgun. We visited his land with police, erected signposts, removed obstructions etc. Very satisfying job. BTW the LA keeps the Definitive Maps of PROW which members of the public are entitled to access. Philip Jones.

[@rooferization]

I've been living in Germany for 30 years, coming back to Britain, I was absolutely shocked how many public footpaths are blocked by landowners deliberately. I was always told they were Queens (Kings) right of way and it was illegal to block access to the public.

[@hens0w]

Generally footpaths, byways etc. are on private property, but the land owner has a duty to maintain access. A sizable minority of land owners act illegality. Most roads are the er-Kings own highway, and we drunkenly saunter down the center of them.

[@markuskruger2102]

In Germany sometimes same Situation, public path ends on Farm or a fence, maybe with watchdogs. In Germany we have Wegerecht and öffentliches Interesse........ Berechtigtes Interesse der Überwegung / Anliegerstrasse is the miracle Green card for trespassing....

[@SharpblueCreative]

Frustrating- I’ve come across this sort of thing myself. Personally myself if I know it’s legal I will climb over or go around just because someone blocks the way illegally. Really annoying.

[@MrYabbie]

Is there any recourse you can take with the council to get it cleared?

[@Gaspode_]

@@MrYabbie Yes You can report problems with rights of way to the relevant council. Most of them have an online form. It may take some time to get resolved though. It's also generally illegal for landwoners to keep dangerous animals where a right of way exists (The landowner is liable for any injuries caused). You can legally leave a right of way to make the shortest way around an obstruction to the right of way, and it is not regarded as trespass.

[@Simon_Nonymous]

@@MrYabbie yes, as Sam says, each Council should have a Rights of Way Officer, and their job is to make sure rights of way are not blocked, and are suitably maintained, including any gates stiles etc that are that right of way.

[@Simon_Nonymous]

@@Gaspode_ I also believe that you are entitled to remove any obstructions to using a right of way, but I am not a solicitor, but maybe the Ramblers' website could advise better/further.

[@gavinreid2741]

It is not unusual to find locked Farm gates in rural areas. It is for security and to ensure livestock don't get out, also prevents access to motorbikes and cars. Just climb over the gate. I often come across this situation in the Yorkshire Dales and Pennines. No big deal.

[@jamesfrancis7025]

The number of land owners trying to remove the public from the countryside is very worrying.

[@shepherdkings5892]

Geroff my land 😂 unless your quick... 😉

[@seanfaherty]

The number of weirdos screwing with private property has as gone up as well

[@ccityplanner1217]

They're not farmers these days, they're "farm managers", & how dare any mere human being have the impunity to violate the spotless sterility of their farming operations.

[@edwardhackett-jones8126]

This is not a reflection of my experience. Broadly speaking landowners welcome the use of footpaths and other rights of way. Many people even create permissive footpaths to link up existing rights of way. The problems arise when those using them fail to behave responsibly and with respect. It’s sickening to have livestock killed by out of control dogs. To say nothing of the cost. It’s tedious to have to round up livestock which have been let out of fields when people decide to leave gates open. It’s infuriating to have to clean up litter left by people. Animal rights obsessives who leave rights of way in order to wreak havoc in pheasant pens etc are a major headache too. It’s understandable that resentments build.

[@HemmingEducation]

Bolt croppers and wire cutters in the backpack sounds like a good idea. Some landowners need challenging regularly.

[@only-vans]

always cut the chain, not the lock, then add your own inexpensive combination lock to refasten the chain. Let everyone know the combination. 0000 should be easy to remember 🙂

[@stevie-ray2020]

Not so good if the land-owner brandishing a shotgun catches you!

[@HemmingEducation]

@@stevie-ray2020 not sure you could brandish a shotgun in the UK for that...maybe in the US. Either way, it makes a point as you casually walk away from their land / field / gift from William the conqueror 😆

[@stevie-ray2020]

@@HemmingEducation While farmers will often be overprotective of what they consider is all theirs, the worst culprits have always been the aristocracy!

[@ccityplanner1217]

@@HemmingEducation : Farmers are allowed to have shotguns if they have a licence, but it's still murder if they shoot a person with them. If it's an actual burglary with demonstrable intent, the judge may show them some clemency, but if it's just someone walking through to get somewhere they want to go, they're going to gaol.

[@johndavies1090]

Classic example from near Stafford some years ago - a footpath running between two different parishes. One parish - clear as a bell, well waymarked. The moment you hit the parish boundary it disappeared; buried under impenetrable nettle and briar growth. Guess which Parish council was in the landowner's pockets?

[@deadkennedy9140]

When I started walking fore fitness a few years ago I followed a joined up route of public footpaths over a nearby hill. I came down the other side and walked straight into "the big house" garden. A woman was gardening and got quite a suprise and I was embarrassed I'd startled her. I apologised for getting off the track but she explained that in fact the right of way did go through her garden and was very nice about it. She also mentioned that if I'd taken the left fork 50 or so mtrs back I would have gone around the formal garden but ended up on the same road. I now take that alternative path as its no bother and being neighbourly is about give and take.

[@georgeprout42]

Had similar, but a way short of the house was an orchard and a large sign. Tldr it said yes the public right of way is straight on, but it goes right alongside our house. So we've built this permissive footpath that we'd prefer you took. Oh and if you fancy a piece of fruit then feel free to take it. Seemed like a fair compromise tbh, everyone happy.

[@stepheneyles2198]

Had a similar experience years ago when we were green laning in our 4x4s; ended up in the garden of "a big house"!! Thankfully it was dark and no-one was gardening so we managed to escape up their driveway!! Always remember that when I drive past their entrance.

[@artful1967]

The problem is is everyone takes the alternate route we will lose the rights to use the actual right of way.

[@RyanJ_]

We shouldn't be made to feel uncomfortable when accessing our Right of Ways

[@hetrodoxly1203]

I have a FP through my garden, you have to divert off the path by less than 2 meters to go through my garden, then slide down a bank to re-join the FP you just left, it's strange to say the lest and how or why it came about is a mystery, i don't mind if people want to make the effort to come through my garden but no one does because they see there's no reason to do so.

[@barrieainge4937]

Fascinating video, Paul and Rebecca, having lived in Trowbridge and now Swindon, I know the paths you referred to near Devizes quite well. It's a sad fact that some farmers (not all) seem to have little respect for footpaths that have been in place for hundreds of years. Quite a few times I have come across footpaths across farmers' fields that have been plowed out, diverted or even blocked. We all need to work together and preserve what we have.

[@edwardhackett-jones8126]

Farmers are quite within their rights to plough a path. It’s not ideal, obviously, but it’s a significant hassle to leave a strip across a field uncultivated. The public would do well to remember that they’re on private land, and the landowner suffers expenses by the existence of public rights of way. Most landowners are fine with that, but can be frustrated by the behaviour of a minority of users. This is when they do things they shouldn’t.

[@benwiles7433]

These videos are a lot better than most TV series.

[@awelonstudio]

There better than everything that's on tv today.

[@Deebz270]

@@awelonstudio Agreed, they're [they are] better...

[@vishengro]

Many thanks for this interesting but concerning video! My daughter and I often go out for local walks (East Sussex) and I would say we have issues with ‘disappearing’ paths for 75% of the walks. We have had angry landowners denying that the path ever existed ( even when we show them on our OS app), obstacles put across the paths, notices telling us that we cannot go further…the list goes on. Even on publicised walks like the 1066 way we have experienced issues. So thank you for publicly bring this to our attention. It does bring encouragement and hope to know that others have the same problems and are doing something to change it.

[@christianfreedom-seeker2025]

Sounds like landlords are sick of people walking on or near their lands so they are closing them off. Most people drive or take the train these days, the footpaths are no longer needed. A medieval anachronism.

[@scottc1589]

Well done! I think this is one of the most important videos you've ever made!

[@TheLaughingcrow]

Newly subbed. I lived in England for a decade and the public footpath network is one of the most underrated parts of the national heritage. It is extraordinary. Easy access to gorgeous countryside where you can walk all day and barely see anyone. I now live back in Northern Ireland where there is no such access. The countryside here is something you can only drive past on your way from A to B. Keep up the vital work on protecting the paths!!

[@nicevideomancanada]

What an interesting video. I have never seen anything like this before. I'm an Englishman now living in Canada since 1980. I love the British Countryside. now I'm going to subscribe.

[@sunjamm222]

In the eighties I use to be part of the TRF and trying to sort out what was a road and what was a footpath or bridleway. Yet we would be on a road marked on the right maps it would end and be a footpath for about 100yards the start back up as a road or rupp/boat. As you said was it the landowners this time trying to stop wheel traffic. Plus some stopped paths for walkers so they could use them for rural sports.

[@Swalkerfilm]

Some years ago I rambled across the UK (and Scotland, I did go there) and I'm really jealous of your public footpath system. I found it amazing to be able to walk straight across fields on paths only marked on the OS map by a dotted line and a signpost and stile here and there. That is very rare here in the Netherlands. Last year I found a century old walking guide from the 1920's for a multi day walk. I had planned to walk it to see how the world had changed but found just by comparing the maps in the guide to modern ones that it was impossible. It turns out very few of the old footpaths survived, most have disappeared completely without a trace even here in this rural province. And a major part of the quiet lanes of those days have become busy tarmac roads (though often with a separate bicycle lane).

[@markstott6689]

It brings to mind the time I was walking across Blubberhouses Moor, camera in hand along a permissive route after the official public footpath had come to a stop in the middle of the Moor. Moor that was also open access land. I was followed by a gentleman toting a shotgun with his dog. He eventually caught me up and asked me what I thought I was doing walking across his land. Intimidation was his game to start with. I then politely explained that I was on a permitted route on open access land. He didn't like it when I explained the legal position and showed him the OS Map. I then received a lecture about protection of grouse chick's and nests. I found it hilarious seeing as it was two weeks past the 12th August and shooting season was well underway. In the end he gave up and walked off chuntering under his breath.

[@edwardhackett-jones8126]

If it was a permissive footpath it could only exist with the landowners consent and implementation. Either you weren’t talking to the landowner, or you weren’t on the path, I should think.

[@markstott6689]

@Edward Hackett-Jones It was a gamekeeper. The majority of Blubberhouses Moor is open access if you look on the OS 1:25,000 Map for Lower Wharfedale and the Washburn Valley. Why it has a permissive path when it's already open access is strange. Either way, as I showed him on the GPS, I was very close. I would add that a few years later, I actually ran into the chap who owns the shooting rights in Timble Ings Woods. We chatted for a while, during the course of which I told him the story of being chased by the gamekeeper. He was rather embarrassed, but he apologised. He asked for the chaps name. Sadly, I couldn't give what I never had. I know my rights, and I can read a map and use GPS.

[@tupolev141]

Where I come from the same happened. We had lots of, translated to English, "Slow Routes". Ancient paths used by everyone to cross the countryside. Ending on a road next to a farmhouse or so. Inevitably, one day a big vicious dog would be in your way, or a locked gate, or a perfectly walkable path suddenly turned into a muddy pit with liquid dung.

[@trevorWilkinson]

I went on a walk with some friends last month and was following the footpaths on Open-street-map. My friends wanted to avoid a path that went through a field of cows, I saw that there was another that passed by a farmhouse. The farmer came out to tell us that we were on Private land, despite it being the way through to a crossroads on the public footpath. Thankfully having watched your videos I knew how to report this to the local council who confirmed that it was a public footpath. I don't know how many of these landowners are ignorant of the rights of way laws or doing it maliciously.

[@JoOtterH]

There are several such dead-end footpaths/bridleways in my area Notts/Lincs. As you mentioned the original recording is probably at fault but in many cases the problem is caused by the construction of (now abandoned RAF bases. The paths start, stop at the former perimeter fence and resume on the other side leaving a gap of up to 2km. At some stage a bridleway ran up the driveway of my house, across a field and then through a ford. My family moved here in 1962 and the bridleway was blocked before then. I have no objection to it being reopened except the field is now my neighbour's garden and the ford is, following flood prevention work, about a metre deep. It could be an expensive reopening!

[@oliverghunter]

Yes, my first "first like"! I love this film - maps and mysteries! There's a few of these paths and bridleways that "just stop" near where I live in Northants. I've often wondered how this could happen, so thanks for your suggestions!!

[@Sim0nTrains]

Great Video, still makes me think about that private road in Salt, Staffordshire that says Private Road, but you look on Bing and just check Ramblers that it a footpath.

[@barrybutler6375]

Well done guys for making your noise, THANK YOU, ❤❤ 👍👍

[@Blackburnian737]

I had a few problems with OS maps vs on the ground reality walking in England this year. I studied abroad in Scotland and it was so nice that they have right to roam there so you didn't really have to worry about trespassing. Of course even in England and Wales it's so much better than what we have in the U.S.!

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

But surely in the US you have the Constitutionally Guaranteed Right to freely walk anywhere out of rifle range??!! 🙄😁

[@hoppes9658]

That’s rich. Half the state of Michigan is state and federal land.

[@pdtech4524]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has followed a path for miles and miles only for it to randomly STOP⚠️😲 I thought I was going mad for a moment.....😳😁👍

[@invisiblewizard2538]

Bad maintenance of the paths is a bugbear of mine! These days I've got a mini hedge trimmer in my hiking kit that I use to cut through overgrowth on public footpaths.

[@arthuredeson3824]

Very interesting as always! There's a restricted byway like this near where I live in South Oxfordshire which has long been blocked off by a locked gate (no chance of getting a bike or horse through). There's no actual physical path and it's actually a really nice quiet place to go as I'm not sure a single other person knows that there's actually a right of way there.

[@sdtfoxon]

Have you a grid ref? I'm in south oxon and can take a look

[@mikeakhurst1855]

Love the way you get an idea and just run with it. Keep it up both!

[@debbiehenri345]

A public footpath ends at the corner of my garden, here in rural Scotland, but does not lead across it, nor does it connect onto any other footpaths nearby. The reason for its existence is - it was designed to give children living in the few houses here a shortcut across farmland to the school some miles away.

[@minuteman4394]

Yes you are correct. foot paths mostly gave a shortcut in the days when most people walked as their primary means of getting around and were used for such things as connecting a small hamlet to such things a a school, church,public house etc. the reason footpaths just stop is generally because the original reason for the path is no longer there but the footpath is still a legal right of way.

[@nickrider5220]

These old rights of way are vital in our modern world, people need to exercise, be stimulated etc...great video for bringing these issues to notice 👍👍

[@davidberlanny3308]

Very interesting hopefully those rights of way that are in danger can be channeled to the Ramblers. Thanks for doing this video. Good luck from Spain!!

[@martinmarsola6477]

Great to see your video today. Have been hospitalized for three months with Covid 19. This video really made my day. Thanks you mates!

[@pfjths]

Living in the area where much of your video was shot in SW Wiltshire, the blocking of RoW is a major problem. However, by causing a fuss with Wiltshire Council they have done a fair amount to get the landowner and tenant farmers to clear the obstructions so that they are once again usable. I must point out that not all landowners are a problem and many actively keep their footpaths open and well maintained. You can report issues in Wiltshire on "My Wilts" and they will take action - at some stage!

[@davie941]

hello again Paul and Rebecca , another very interesting video , really well done and thank you guys 😊

[@girlinthewood]

great video thank you. we've got a couple of paths that just stop in the middle of fields! signposted from the main roads but the start of the paths are so overgrown. i've contacted the council very recently to see what they can do. fingers crossed

[@pwhitewick]

Excellent stuff.

[@matthewkelly5471]

Well done for highlighting this problem.

[@HighlandMike325]

Walked on a path in South Yorkshire last year which involved crossing the ECML railway on the OS map. The crossing had a push button intercom with instructions to press for permission to cross. When pressed the guy on the intercom wanted to know why we needed to cross, even asking why we were on the path! Was begrudgingly allowed to cross eventually

[@matrixtech29]

Push this button for us to tell you not to push this button.

[@peteryoung4957]

Thank you for high lighting a problem with rights of way. There are probably more dead-end footpaths than you imagine.

[@davidsedlickas8222]

Superb filming and commentaries Thanks for your time and efforts to produce your volgs Keep safe warm dry and virus free both

[@charlesachurch7265]

Thanks for another great presentation xxx

[@paulinehedges5088]

Wow. that was really interesting. Thank you for bringing this sort of thing to our attention. it looks lije the country may lose lot of the open spaces and quiet walks through sheer negligence or inertia and ignorance. Keep these videos coming.👍👍👍

[@davidsheriff8989]

You have right to walk anywhere in UK since Doomsday time

[@antonioveritas]

@@davidsheriff8989 Sadly that's not true. If it was true, we wouldn't need public rights of way!

[@vanivor]

​@@davidsheriff8989 That's definitely not correct.

[@uksteves]

Interesting video. Back in the day, people didn't use these paths simply to have a nice walk - they'd surely have served a purpose, and led to somewhere. We have a path near to where I live, that takes you across some heathland, before stopping abruptly at the point where it once crossed a now disused railway line (littered with private property and "end of footpath" signs). You can see the path continue onwards for another mile or more towards somewhere useful (and find its route marked as FP on old OS maps), but you can't walk it, because the land owner decided many years back, to claim it as private property. Rights of way people at the council seem largely uninterested, as its been this way for so long.

[@madattaktube]

The most memorable footpath to nowhere I found was one that was marked as continuing on the map, but in reality just led into the bottom of a lake with no way round.

[@boboneleg]

Good video Paul and Rebecca. Thanks for showing the absurdity of some rights of way in England and Wales. Don't even get me started on the illegal obstructions :{

[@shirleylynch7529]

Fascinating video. Thank you for showing us this. Very interesting and informative.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Shirley

[@007JHS]

My son and I have often taken off piste bike rides on obscure paths and tracks... sometimes so overgrown we have had to find sticks to beat down nettles, brambles etc.

[@kevinmoore.7426]

I love you guys !

[@andyrichardsvideovlogs8835]

That was fascinating. Living close to Kinder Scout, scene of the Mass Trespass, it seems that in some respects we are heading back to those days by stealth.

[@SharpblueCreative]

Do you watch Patrick Dickinson’s videos? He wild camps up there.

[@aedanjmcghie]

Move to Scotland.

[@johnacton5417]

I worked with Benny Rothman who led that trespass in the 1930's. I believe the ramblers recreate this walk every year and its lead by , I believe, Benny's son.

[@gibfear]

Shame "the ramblers" that exist thanks to trespassing, are so anti cyclists and horse riders..... No it's OK for US to get access to land, but not you, you aren't miserable enough.... 🙂

[@highdownmartin]

Now we’re out the eu and the country is slipping back into the dark ages, I can imagine that all the disaster capitalists buying up farmland won’t want the great unwashed trooping around on their investment. I reckon a lot of paths will be blocked and councils won’t have the money to fight it / enforce it.

[@fighne]

Glad you're pushing the ramblers support

[@catshoemike]

A very useful video, well explained. I was riding my pushbike on "white roads" yesterday here in North Wales. It's interesting, on the OS map they were shown as white roads but with green dots, which the map defines as "other routes with public access". One of them is even marked as a cycle route, although confusingly the signage on the ground was the green arrow for footpath, nothing more. I've tonight had a look on the Conwy County Definitive map, and there is no trace of them at all. In fairness though, the Definitive Map says that it records Footpaths, Bridleways and Byways (Restricted and BOATs), so I guess these white roads fall into that gap. I was funnily enough tonight already looking at other local areas on the OS map with a view to more bicycle rides. I tend to take the view that if it starts out as a Byway or Bridleway but then becomes a white road, then you could probably infer a right of access. Not always so easy though when it goes through a farmyard before it hits the public tarmac road.

[@peterweston1356]

You are doing important work. Keep it up…

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Peter

[@JerryFlint6]

Very informative video. Coincidentally, something I have been researching locally. Thanks!

[@RossMaynardProcessExcellence]

Really great idea for a video and a worthwhile campaign. Well done!

[@RichardFelstead1949]

All roads lead to .................................Rebecca and Paul. Great video guys. All the best from Australia.

[@fastacesus8499]

Interestingly my local council is trying to gather information about paths which are not public footpaths but are regularly used in the hope that they can be changed into concessionary paths.

[@malcolmdalrymple1779]

Interesting and very important. Thanks for raising this.

[@markgallaway5574]

I've explored the lanes and byways of the East of England by walking cycling and in my land rover. When offroad I was always considerate to other users (although that was not always given back) and never drove on a track if it was damaged or was in a condition where driving on it would damage the surface. Obstruction by farmers was always a pain in the butt. I once drove 5km down a narrow green only to find concrete blocks has been dropped at the end. There was no way I could turn around without damaging the farmer's crop and reversing was too dangerous. Worse still only about 200m up we could see the main road and the byway continued unobstructed. In the end, we winched one of the blocks out of the way which allowed access for horse and foot traffic as well.

[@marcdebruin2425]

I suspect the mapmakers to have looked at each other and say; ok let’s grab a pint and put some random lines on the map and see who we can confuse. 😄 Nice video guys! Interesting subject. 👍🏻

[@davidpalin1790]

Great video Well done 👏

[@markthompson3577]

my sunday/monday is now complete ......another awesome video .....!!!!

[@bruno-id1wh]

I know you've been to Savernake Forest. There are 2 paths that just stop, to the south of the forest. One climbs up from Wolfhall bridge over the Kennet and Avon Canal and stops by the "Deer Park". The other is along the path of the Roman road (that does that weird loop around Tidcombe and meets another at the top of the forest: as it comes from Crotfton up towards Tottenham House, it just stops. I looked at the Ramblers old paths page, and when you look at the map from 100 years ago, other paths joined them. Very interesting stuff! :D

[@pwhitewick]

Now that rings a bell.

[@andrewince8824]

I have a Swiss army knife with a great saw blade. Several landowners are deliberately letting brambles grow over stiles to prevent walkers. My friend Victorinox has been very helpful getting through these stiles and opening up to the public. It's a RIGHT of way, not a kind offer from whichever oligarch claims dominion of the land. There's a few which during some periods are blocked and diverted, these landowners are the good ones, those diversions are to offer access while livestock are grazing or the land is rendered unsafe by some weather events. That lane you're seen walking near Worton, I ride it frequently. It's usually clear and does follow the old map. I'm uncertain why it was blocked. I'm very local based in Steeple Ashton, barely a jump from Keevil. I often cycle to Devizes, beautiful trails in the area.

[@stuartbridger5177]

Nice video, I use OS maps for planning walking routes around home in Oxfordshire. It's surprising how many rights of way just don't exist on the ground, yet they still are on the OCC definitive map and clearly haven't been used for years. Some are obvious, where the path has been bisected by the A40 Witney bypass. Footpaths shown either side but clearly not used and no way across the dual carriageway.

[@Charleighcharger]

Quite a few pathways near me start and stop with no way to get to them.

[@timothyduncan3457]

Some excellent points made there. However, on your "White Lanes" point and if I remember correctly from the old OS 50k map key. A pair of solid lines denotes a metalled road, that's one with tarmac on it! And the colour indicates either the class (M, A, B or Classified) or White a road width of less than 10 feet. The problem is we all use Google or SatNav nowadays which just copies the OS mapping base but doesn't elaborate with the key or what it all means!

[@gzk6nk]

When I had full mobility I was secretary of the Alderley Edge, Wilmslow & District Footpath Preservation Society. We met every Sunday morning and walked our local paths, noting any obstructions such as farmers blocking paths or broken styles etc. We had an excellent relationship with the local authority ROW officers who would sort these out. They would also call us in to help resolve any issues where footpath diversions had been requested (it happened often where a farm was converted to domestic dwelling and the new owners wanted the path moved from through the old farm yard). Is there no such organisation as ours in Wiltshire?

[@Thegreek1331]

The fascination with this is fascinating!

[@sr6424]

I have commented on similar videos in the past. I am a volunteer Parish Path Warden in Worcestershire. I have discussed this with WCC officers. I can give you two examples on paths with dead ends. A path near the former Hunnington Railway station, on the Halesowen railway. There is a dead end path. It formerly connected to the station drive. When the station was finally sold as a private home, the drive to the station became private. The second is a path which ends at a foot tunnel, which went into the former Longbridge factory. I researched it and found it was closed in 1940. I guess something to do with the war. There is some good news. Just down the line from the second path was a foot crossing. Network Rail needed to close the path due to an increase in trains using the line. There were going to be two dead end paths. In the end a foot bridge replaced the crossing. I asked Worcestershire Council about dead end paths. The said they are useful for dog walkers, so won’t close them.

[@simonrichardson7808]

really enjoyed this one; and straight onto that missing b'ways too.....

[@robg5111]

Thank you for highlighting the need to democratise the countryside and open it up to responsible walkers

[@Foremarkex]

I used to live near a few; mapped in the 1950's, they used Railway bridges to cross rivers, and with the bridges removed in the 1960's, the paths go no-where.

[@MichaelSebastianTodd]

brilliant video

[@DavidCollison]

Great content, analysis and insights - thank you both for a fascinating video. 01/01/2026 really isn't that far off.

[@01cthompson]

I remember trails and paths from my youth in the late 70s / early 80s that are now gone. Be sure you fight for the ones that still exist.

[@ladiorange]

Another great video

[@jimcarr8425]

The situation is worse with byways. Wiltshire has an extensive network of byways but several of them just end or suddenly are downgraded for no apparent reason. And don't get me started with CRoW - we lost a load of byways in 2006 when we thought we still had time to ensure their survival.

[@WiltshireByways]

At least your comments aren't being downgraded!

[@davependrill2897]

Great video.

[@stevie-ray2020]

4:55 Probably most of the time they were easily 'mislead' by the land-owners!

[@robertmaitland09]

Fully aware of this issue. I've been with the Ramblers for years now, they're a great campaigning organisation and i would recommend people join.

[@dianespears6057]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@UndergroundRolo]

Very interesting, I've had pathways before located on several maps, but then in real life when I've got there, they just.. haven't existed, or are just ridiculously overgrown that it's near impossible to walk down, which is just a shame that they're not managed well enough to allow people to walk down.

[@johncunnane1582]

great work you two, interesting content as usual :)

[@gavinreid2741]

In the fells of the Pennines and Lake District some paths lead up on to the moors then just stop. In these locations it is not a problem as the land is open access.

[@leeedsonetwo]

Very clever editing and fun

[@neildaniel8232]

I'm a mountain biker who lives in Wales and it's a massive frustration when out in the wilds. Thankfully the Welsh Assembly has been conducting a survey to see about having similar access laws to Scotland and the overwhelming response from all parties was to reform the system to make it much more representative of how the Rights of Way are used today. It's all on hold though thanks to the Pandemic but that means that nothing is being enforced with regards to who can use what (blockages and lack of maintenance are still being enforced though) so it's essentially turned into the Scottish system by default: anyone on foot, bicycle or horse can go on any obvious path (whether created by man or animal) but has to respect other users ie Don't Be A Dick. Works incredibly well as everyone just gets on with it. It's always strange when going to England and having to deal with the stupid rules you have, landowners blocking paths, ones that end abruptly and/or change designation randomly.

[@russellmardling7156]

Loving your videos. I love the idea if walking along lost railway lines, Roman roads etc. I have a possible suggestion. It's called the Hendon Factory platform in North London. It's a short lost railway spur and platform that used to service the Aircraft factory at Hendon. I don't know if it's Jeff that would do this but hopefully it's an idea worth investigating. Thanks for the videos!

[@dirkjordy9point714]

Slightly different spin on access. I work for a utility company and have easement and wayleaves to back me up when trying to get onto private land. Ideally we like to work with our landowners and give notice, but sometimes need immediate access, much to the annoyance of some of them. Old school farmers are fine, but when I've been denied entry to rural land owned by New Money Londoners, Russian Oligarchs, Middle East Royals etc, I normally find a way to sneak in somewhere else, much to their annoyance! Only had guns pulled on me twice,(Once by foreign owner and once US Military. Thought it would be ok to access a US ammo dump without asking!), but all good!!!

[@oldmanvlogger9259]

Wonderfully informative, as ever. I'd like to think that the errors, omissions, mistakes etc. are just part of the UK's quirkyness, but, it appears more in line with political issues at different timelines, i.e. 'Flavour of the month' to get votes at local, regional or national level! However, great vid.

[@dilwyn1]

@Paul and Rebecca ... Llanarmon D.C, in North Wales has a bridal way that heads of up a beautiful mountainside, and stops at a stile. Ok My horse can jump it, but can't proceed further on the footpath 🥲

[@professornil.]

Mudflood. I've found filled in railway cuttings near where I live, no explanation anywhere...

[@kenhurley2361]

Hi Paul & Rebecca, Here in New Zealand we have Paper roads, An unformed legal road (or 'paper road') is a legally-recognised road that is undeveloped or partly formed, but provides public access to a particular area but many maps do not show where they are.

[@liquidsonly]

Make content about this whenever you can. It;s important to keep those byways open.

[@pt9101]

This was an incredibility interesting video the speculation on the route cause was thought provoking.

[@loc4725]

We have that problem down here in Kent. A public bridleway with a locked gate across it, footpaths which get ploughed and a right of way though the garden of a large detached house, not that you can reach that end as they've also got a electric fence but _only_ across the footpath.

[@philipjones9458]

Report it to the LA they have the powers to deal with it.

[@royjennison3916]

loved it well done

[@joekibble3200]

Love the educational format! Would you be able to do a video on BOAT's (Byways Open to All Traffic) as the number of walkers that don't understand these is phenomenal? When we drive 4x4's down a BOAT a lot of walkers get angry when we have as much right of way as they do on that specific track. I think it would really help the 4x4 and walking cultures to mix in a more harmonious way.

[@lizzieburgess674]

No motor vehicle has 'as much right' on a BOAT - or any other public road (M-status excepted) as a pedestrian, cyclist or horse rider/driver has. They use the road _as of right_; you drivers of mechanically-propelled vehicles -be they EV, ICE Oor even steam or gas powered, must obtain permission (by means of licencing, testing etc) to do so.

[@mrexiges1]

Thank you for the video……. Here in Suffolk there are lots of these vanishing bridleways which I ride along to discover that they have become footpaths Of course I find an alternative route !! The blocked route is something for the council to deal with firmly it is totally out of order by the farmer ! He can be ordered to remove the obstruction. As a land owner with footpath access I have to maintain a clear route for users . Keep up the good work.

[@manmeetsinghmahajan6183]

Amazing 👏

[@antonioveritas]

Near where we live there is an official fingerpost at the side of the road that points down a track and it reads "public bridleway, cul de sac." The track now just runs for a few hundred yards to a few big houses and stops, but the older ordnance survey map shows it continuing over the fields until it reaches the other road on the far side. When we were on holiday somewhere, we saw a nice new wooden fingerpost that indicated a public footpath running down an alley between two houses. We climbed the stile and followed it, only to find that after about 100 yards it stopped at a six foot high wooden fence! No gates led off it to service the houses it ran between, so it was completely useless!