What is the Definitive Map?

The Definitive Map is a map of all recorded public rights of way in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and together with the Definitive Statement of Public Rights of Way, forms the legal record of the public rights of way in the borough.

The Definitive Statement for each right of way accompanies the Map, and describes the route and any restriction on its use; a few statements contain details of recorded widths etc.

The Map is printed using a 1:10,000 scale.

The appearance of a path on the Definitive Map is conclusive proof of the public rights over it. However, the reverse is not true, and a way not shown on the map could still be a public right of way, although its status will need to be proved.

This information is provided to the Ordnance Survey, and is available in the published maps of the area. For more information about the Ordnance Survey, please visit http://www.ordnancesurvey.gov.uk/

Changing the Definitive Map
If you believe that the Definitive Map is inaccurate or incomplete, you can apply to the Council for an order to make changes to the map.

Landowners, occupiers or lessees may also apply to the Council for the diversion or closure of footpaths and bridleways on their land. Most applications for diversions are:

• Either to allow for more convenient farming practices - the Council's job is to ensure that the diversion will be as substantially convenient (and enjoyable) for the public as the existing right of way
• Or for construction work (which needs planning permission) - here the Council must be convinced that the change is necessary to enable to proposed development to go ahead

Please contact the Public Rights of Way Team for more information regarding a modification to the Definitive Map.

Publication of the Definitive Map
The Definitive Map and Statement was first published in 1963, in response to provisions of the National Parks and Countryside Act 1949. Maps were compiled from surveys carried out by the town and parish councils in the early 1950's. Further revisions of the Map were carried out in the 1970's, and the current revision of the Map has a relevant date of 1st April 2008.

Availability of the Map to the Public
You can inspect the Definitive Map and Statement in Maidenhead and Windsor central libraries. They can also be inspected at the customer service centres in York House, Windsor, and the Town Hall, Maidenhead.

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