The Regulatory Committee of Lancashire County Council met on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, to discuss and make decisions on applications to modify the Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way. The committee resolved to upgrade two routes to bridleway status, one of which was previously recorded as a footpath and the other a historical vehicular route.

Monks Gate, Tatham to Park House, Hornby: Upgrade to Restricted Byway

The committee voted to accept an application to add a public right of way from Monks Gate, Tatham to Park House, Hornby. The route, currently not recorded on the Definitive Map and Statement, will be recorded as a restricted byway¹. This decision was made after considering extensive historical map and documentary evidence, including Ogilby's Map of 1675, which suggested the route was part of a historical public vehicular road. While there was no evidence of a legal stopping up order for the route, the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006² would have extinguished any mechanically propelled vehicle rights, leading to the restricted byway classification. Councillor Graeme Austin proposed the motion, seconded by Councillor Mark Clifford, and it was unanimously accepted.

Whitley Road, Upholland: Upgrade to Bridleway

The committee also considered an application to upgrade Whitley Road, Upholland, currently recorded as a public footpath, to a byway. After reviewing historical maps, documents, and modern user evidence, the committee decided to accept the application in part, upgrading the route to bridleway status between points A and G. A section of the route, between points G and Z, which was incorrectly recorded as a footpath within a publicly maintainable vehicular highway, will have its particulars modified to remove the footpath record. Councillor Maria Jones proposed the motion, seconded by Councillor Fred Cottam, which was unanimously accepted. The decision was based on evidence suggesting historical use by the public on foot and horseback, with modern use also supporting bridleway rights. While there was insufficient evidence to classify the route as a full byway open to all traffic, the historical evidence supported its dedication as a bridleway. The committee also noted that the section between G and Z would be removed from the Definitive Map and Statement as it was now part of a publicly maintained vehicular highway and therefore no longer recordable as a footpath.

Progress Report on Previous Committee Items

David Goode, Public Rights of Way Manager, presented an update on the progress of definitive map modification orders and Highways Act diversion orders since the previous committee meeting in January 2026. The report detailed various orders that had progressed, including notices of confirmation, making, and sealing, as well as inquiry dates being confirmed.

Guidance on Definitive Map and Statement Review

The committee noted the 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 guidance, presented in Annexes A, B, and C of the reports pack, outlines the legal framework and procedures for modifying the Definitive Map and Statement.

Next Meeting

The committee noted that their next scheduled meeting would be held on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, at 10:00 am in Committee Room B.