The Regulatory Committee of Lancashire County Council met on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, to discuss several matters concerning public rights of way. The committee approved recommendations for the diversion of a footpath at Bramblewood, Barnacre, and a bridleway at Kirk House Farm, Over Kellet. They also approved the upgrade of a section of Hall Lane in Longton from a footpath to a bridleway and the addition of a bridleway from Wennington Road to Old Moor Road in Wennington.

Diversion of Footpath at Bramblewood, Barnacre

The committee approved the diversion of part of Footpath FP0205027 at Bramblewood, Barnacre. The existing path, which currently runs through the garden of the residential property Bramblewood, will be diverted to a new route. This diversion is considered expedient in the interests of the owners' privacy and security, while providing a safe and convenient alternative for the public. The new route will be approximately 120 metres long and will run through a pasture before rejoining the access track to Bramblewood and then Parkhead Lane. The applicants have agreed to cover all administrative and advertising costs associated with the order, as well as any necessary works to bring the new section of footpath into usable condition. The committee recommended that if objections are received that cannot be withdrawn, the order be sent to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with the authority taking a neutral stance on its confirmation.

Diversion of Bridleway at Kirk House Farm, Over Kellet

A diversion order was approved for part of Bridleway BW0124027 at Kirk House Farm, Over Kellet. The existing bridleway currently passes through the curtilage of the residential property Kirk House Farm. The diversion will reroute the bridleway away from the property, improving privacy and security for the residents, while maintaining a safe and convenient route for the public. The new route will be approximately 475 metres long and will involve upgrading a section of footpath FP0124008 to bridleway status. Similar to the Bramblewood diversion, the applicants will bear the costs associated with the order and any necessary works. The committee recommended a neutral stance if the order is called into question by objections.

Upgrade of Hall Lane, Longton, South Ribble

The committee approved the upgrade of part of Hall Lane in Longton from a footpath to a bridleway. The application concerned the section of Hall Lane between Hall Carr Lane and the vehicular section of Hall Lane at its junction with Footpaths 7-7-FP9a and 7-7-FP10. Despite historical evidence suggesting potential vehicular rights, the committee concluded that there was insufficient evidence to infer dedication of higher public rights than footpath status. Therefore, the application to upgrade the route to bridleway was rejected, and no Definitive Map Modification Order will be made.

Addition of Bridleway from Wennington Road to Old Moor Road, Wennington

An application to record a public bridleway from Wennington Road to Old Moor Road in Wennington was accepted with a modification. The committee decided to record the route as a restricted byway rather than a bridleway. Historical map and documentary evidence suggested the route was a historical public route capable of being used as a vehicular highway. Under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, any unrecorded public rights for mechanically propelled vehicles would have been extinguished, leaving the route to be recorded as a restricted byway, which allows for use by non-mechanically propelled vehicles, horses, and on foot. A Definitive Map Modification Order will be made to record this, and it will be promoted for confirmation if necessary.

Guidance and Annual Progress Report

The committee also received and noted guidance on the law relating to the continuous review of the Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way and certain Orders to be made under the Highways Act 1980. This included updated guidance from DEFRA. An annual progress report on definitive map modification orders and public path orders was also presented, detailing the status of various applications and orders. No specific decisions were made regarding these reports, but they served to inform the committee of ongoing work.