The Rights of Way Committee of Northumberland Council met on Wednesday, 26 August 2026, to consider proposed modifications to the Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way. The meeting's agenda focused on reviewing evidence related to alleged public footpath and restricted byway rights in the parishes of Haydon and Melkridge.

Alleged Public Footpath No. 75, Parish of Haydon

The committee was scheduled to consider evidence regarding the existence of public footpath rights over a route in Haydon Bridge. The proposed footpath would connect a point on the U8239 road, west of 1 Brigwood, to Public Footpath No. 65, east of The Haughs, Brigwood. The report pack indicated that the applicant, Haydon Parish Council, presented user evidence from 32 local people, many of whom claimed to have used the route for over 20 years.

However, landowner evidence raised several concerns. Lesley Eagan and Andy Balman of Brigwood highlighted safety issues on the narrow Brigwood private road, potential obstructions to access, and the impact on flood defence infrastructure. G.A. Gray also objected, citing dangers on the private road, historical barriers, and the existence of an alternative level access point. Documentary evidence, including various Ordnance Survey maps dating back to 1841, was presented, with some showing evidence of a path or track over the route, while others did not. The report pack noted that the proposed width of the footpath was a point of contention, with landowners concerned about vehicular access being impeded.

Alleged Restricted Byway No. 42, Parish of Melkridge

The committee was also set to review evidence concerning alleged public vehicular rights over a route in Melkridge. This route, designated as Restricted Byway No. 42, is proposed to connect a point on the U7038 road, northwest of Once Brewed, to alleged Restricted Byway No. 24, east of Edges Green. The recommendation in the report pack was to agree that sufficient evidence existed to suggest public vehicular rights had been reasonably alleged over parts of the route (W-X-Y-Z). It was also recommended that the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 might have extinguished public motor vehicular rights over sections X-Y and W-X, with the Y-Z section potentially being recorded as a byway open to all traffic and the W-X-Y section as a restricted byway.

Public evidence included an application from Diane Holmes, supported by analysis of documentary evidence such as the 1783 Inclosure Award, which showed the route labelled as Saughey Rig Lane and described as a public highway, 45 ft in width. Various historical maps, including Fryer's (1820), Cary's (1827), and Greenwood's (1828), also depicted the route as a minor country road or cross road. Landowner objections were raised by S. Boyle and J. Drinkwater of The Old Farmhouse, Saughy Rigg, who stated they had not been properly notified of the proposal and raised concerns about property access and potential obstructions. Consultation responses were received from Cycling UK, who supported the addition of the route as a restricted byway, and Melkridge Parish Council, who stated they did not have sufficient evidence to make a considered observation.

Alleged Restricted Byway No. 43, Parish of Melkridge

Finally, the committee was scheduled to consider evidence for alleged public vehicular rights over a route in Melkridge, designated as Restricted Byway No. 43. This route is proposed to connect a point on the U7041 road, northeast of Edges Green, to alleged Restricted Byway No. 24, east of Edges Green. The recommendation was to agree that sufficient evidence indicated public vehicular rights existed over part of the route (A-C) and had been reasonably alleged over another part (C-B). It was also recommended that the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 appeared to have extinguished public motor vehicular rights over the entire route (A-C-B), and that the route be included in a future Definitive Map Modification Order as a restricted byway.

The applicant, Diane Holmes, provided documentary evidence including the 1787 Melkridge and Henshaw Inclosure Award, which described the route as a Public Highway sixty feet in Breadth. Historical maps from Fryer's (1820), Greenwood's (1828), and Cary's (1827) also depicted the route as a road or track. The 1846 Melkridge Tithe Award and early Ordnance Survey maps from the 1860s onwards also showed evidence of a road or track. The report noted that the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 might have extinguished public motor vehicular rights over the route, leaving only restricted byway rights. Concerns were raised by Dr NC Fox of Wealside regarding the accuracy of the proposed route on maps and the potential impact on their property. Consultation responses from the British Horse Society supported the addition of the route as a restricted byway, while Henshaw Parish Council stated they lacked sufficient evidence to comment. The report also discussed the width of the route, noting that the Inclosure Award specified a width of sixty feet (18.29 metres) for Henshaw Road.