Date route of footpath changed

We understand that the Ordnance Survey obtains its mapping information from the local councils and we were hoping that you could advise us of the date that you were advised of this footpath's route, together with the date of any modification or amendment order(s) relating to this short distance of path. We are having trouble as the information seems to be geographically challenged to the Council. They explain that the paperwork has gone through xxxxxx and xxxxxx Council, xxxxxx Council, xxxxxx Council and now xxxxxx Council and they can find no record of the change of direction of the path.

Thank you for your e-mail dated 5^th February 2010. We regret to inform you that we do not hold the information you have requested, but are pleased to provide you with the following advice and assistance:

Yes, you are correct in your understanding that the relevant Council provides documentation to Ordnance Survey to show the exact route of a footpath, based on evidence from the Local Authority Definitive Map. Amendments to the Definitive Map are by a Rights of Way Order, and on receipt of these they are processed by Ordnance Survey to reflect on our mapping exactly what is on the Local Authorities Definitive Map.

We note the footpath in question is shown on xxxxxx Council Definitive map dated 1955 and the superseding xxxxxx Council Definitive map of 1985 and the current xxxxxx map of 2009. However xxxxxx or local authorities preceding xxxxxx have no record of any Order altering the alignment.

Ordnance Survey held paper records of Rights of Way Orders sent by local authorities until June 2007.  As the Ordnance Survey head office will be moving in the autumn, paper Rights of Way Orders dated until June 2007 are now on their way to be held in storage at The National Archives. These orders will be made available to the public for viewing; although we estimate they may not be available for several months. However, it would seem unlikely that any order would be found within these records, as the search xxxxxx have undertaken in relation to this issue would appear extensive to include the London Gazette (where public orders are published for public record). 

Electronic copies of Rights of Way Orders from June 2007 to the present are held by Ordnance Survey have been checked, but there is no Order regarding the footpath to which you refer within these records.

As no Order can be found regarding this footpath, xxxxxx have requested Ordnance Survey realign the footpath to its original alignment, which unfortunately now passes through xxxxxx.

We suspect that when the estate was added to our mapping, the cartographer took a ‘common sense’ approach and realigned the footpath slightly to avoid the houses. As Ordnance Survey no longer has a historical map archive, we are unable to research and advise when this alignment took place on our mapping.

It is possible in time, that xxxxx Council (who are aware of this) will confirm an Order to realign the footpath away from the houses on their Definitive Map, and we will then reflect this in our mapping when they inform us of this change.

Please note that your enquiry has been processed to Freedom of Information guidelines.  As all requested information has been provided, we have determined that in all the circumstances of this case the Public interest consideration (section 17 FOIA) is not applicable in this instance.

If you are unhappy with our response, you may raise an appeal to our Appeals Officer at:

Complaints Team

Customer Service Centre

Ordnance Survey

Romsey Road

SOUTHAMPTON

SO16 4GU 

Please include the reference number below. The Appeals Officer will ensure that the process has been followed correctly, questioning any decisions taken regarding the original response and recommending disclosure of additional information if appropriate.

Thank you for your enquiry.

Reference number: FOI1034/February 2010