Historic Rights of Way Information

Reference three extracts, which I understand were deposited by Ordnance Survey with the National Archives at Kew in January 2011.

Extract xxxxxx.jpg shows a bridleway line number 6 running through the courtyard of my property. I believe the first time this appeared on Ordnance Survey maps was Edition A of Explorer 215 series in 1999. However, this line through the courtyard did not appear on Pathfinder 886 which was revised for selective change in 1987.

I do not understand how this could have happened as I am being told by xxxxxx Council that this line was shown on their 1932 map - which was used to provide bridleway information for their first Definitive Map published on 10 February 1969 and first issued to Ordnance Survey on 7 December 1971.

1. Is it possible that Ordnance Survey made a copying error in leaving that part of the bridleway off the Pathfinder series?

2. Is it possible that xxxxxx Council did in fact provide this information to Ordnance Survey for the first time after 1987?

3. Does your Rights of Way section hold any proof of the date that the line running through my courtyard was first provided to Ordnance Survey?

4. What is the relevance and significance of the note in blue on extract xxxxxx which reads "withdrawn 24.1.97"?

5. Do you have any other information which might explain the discrepancies in the two OS series as described above?

6. What is the meaning of the blue cross through the extract xxxxxx?

7. What is the significance of extract xxxxxx which shows this part of the map with a thick yellow line?

Thank you for your e-mail dated 20^th June 2011.Ordnance Survey does hold some of the information you have requested, which is detailed below. Where we do not hold the requested information, this is detailed.

1 & 2. The Freedom of Information Act is to make provision for the disclosure of information held in a recorded format by an authority, and where this information is held to have it communicated to the requester.  The above questions you pose invite Ordnance Survey to comment on a 'possibility' and do not make a request for recorded information therefore we are unable to respond to these under FOI.

3. Ordnance Survey does hold a scanned copy of the County Record Card for xxxxxx which shows we received a copy of the definitive map for xxxxxx on 6^th December 1971.

However, the records do not detail whether the Definitive Map was used to check the Rights of Way shown on the then existing Pathfinder Map at that time. Ordnance Survey does therefore not hold any information to be used as a 'proof of date'.

4. The note in blue on extract xxxxxx withdrawn which reads ‘withdrawn 24.1.97’ indicates that this extract of the Definitive Map was checked against the Rights of Way shown on the Pathfinder Map which was being used to create the new OS Explorer Map.

5. No, Ordnance Survey does not hold any recorded information to further explain.

6. The blue cross through the extract xxxxxx would have been added onto the Definitive Map extract at the same time as the wording ‘withdrawn 24.1.97’ to indicate that all of the extract had been checked against the Pathfinder Map then being used to create the new OS Explorer Map.

7. Ordnance Survey does not hold information in relation to this issue, and cannot confirm the significance of the thick yellow line on extract xxxxxx. 

It may indicate that this individual Right of Way had been checked against the Right of Way shown on the OS Explorer Map or it may have been highlighted to indicate that an amendment had been made to the Rights of Way on the OS Explorer Map.

However, we have found no evidence to indicate which but have provided this information under section 16 of the FOIA ‘The duty to provide advice and assistance’.

Please note your enquiry has been processed according to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000. As all the 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, as the requested information has either been provided or is not held.

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

FOI Appeals Officer
Customer Service Centre
Ordnance Survey
Adanac Drive
SOUTHAMPTON
SO16 0AS

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: FOI11193/June 2011