Surrey has a total of almost 3,300 kilometres of rights of way. Surrey County Council (this page opens in a new window) is responsible for the management and maintenance of this network, and for the Definitive Map which is the legal record of the position and status of rights of way.
What is the Definitive Map and Statement?
The Definitive Map and the Definitive Statement - a written description of every path on the map - together form the legal record of public rights of way. The line of a path on the Definitive Map and Statement (DMS), and its status (public footpath / bridleway / byway) can only be changed by a legal order.
Who keeps it up to date?
The local Surveying Authority, Surrey County Council, maintains the Definitive Map and Statement. Individual map sheets are updated periodically to reflect the changes, which means that individual sheets may have different publication dates.
What does it look like?
In Surrey, the Map consists of 89 black and white large-scale 1:10000 Ordnance Survey map sheets, with Public Footpaths, Bridleways and Byways shown by standard symbols. Each path is identified by Parish and has a unique identification number. The same number may be repeated in different parishes. The Statement describes the route of the path and gives details of the structures, stiles, gates and bridges along the way, as well as the nature of its surface. It may also record a minimum width for the path, which is legally enforceable.
What is its legal status?
Every Surveying Authority including Surrey County Council is required by law to prepare a Definitive Map and Statement and to keep it up to date. The Definitive Map provides conclusive legal evidence of the existence, route and status of the rights of way shown on it. It does not, however, preclude the existence of other rights of way. If evidence is discovered to show that a public right of way exists that is not shown on the Definitive Map, or that a way is shown incorrectly on the map, it can be added or amended by means of a Map Modification Order.
Where can I see it?
A copy of the Definitive Map and Statement is currently held by Democratic Services at Guildford Borough Council offices, Millmead where they can be inspected upon request. Copies of the Map and Statement for the whole County can be inspected at County Hall in Kingston upon Thames, and at the Surrey Records Office in Woking under reference CC870. Some libraries also hold copies of the map for their area. The Definitive Map is also available on the Surrey County Council website, but this is not a legal record and you should consult the above copies if you are buying a property or making a planning application.
Contact information
If you wish to inspect the Definitive Map and Statement please contact:
Louise Curtis
Democratic Services
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB
Tel: 01483 444078
Email: louise.curtis@guildford.gov.uk
Alternatively, if you wish to contact the local Surveying Authority for Rights of Way in Surrey, please contact:
Surrey County Council
Rights of Way Group
Room 408
County Hall
Penrhyn Road
Kingston Upon Thames
KT1 2DY
Tel: 020 8541 9331
Email: rightsofway@surreycc.gov.uk