Historic footpath questions

1. I would like to know when the two footpaths shown in red [on omitted map] were included within Ordnance Surveys data base.

2. I would also like to identify the date the footpath shown in red on 1970 Ordnance Survey Map [enclosed with request] was removed from Ordnance Survey.

3. I wish to have sight of (or copies) of any correspondence, copy ROW Orders etc, survey data, date(s) of changes (additions, removals, amendments) to the Ordnance Survey data base you hold relating to the above land and footpaths.

Thank you for your letter dated 1^st November 2011, and questions which I have numbered for ease. I respond to each question in turn, please not that not all the information you have requested in held by Ordnance Survey, and this is advised where applicable.

1. I regret to advise you that Ordnance Survey does not hold this information. The reason this information is not held is because we do not have a system which details all additions, removals or amendments to Public Rights of Way.

Pending Public Rights of Way Orders received from Local Authorities are recorded in an internal system, but only until the change is actioned after which the record is deleted.

The only way of determining changes made to footpaths overtime would be to view historical Ordnance Survey mapping.  In order to view historical mapping, you would need to adopt the process detailed in our previous communication to you on the 17^th March 2011 under reference: FOI11142.

However, under Section 16 of the Freedom of Information Act – the duty to provide advice and assistance - we have been able to view three paper versions of OS Explorer Map 272 dated:

10^th February 2000 - A edition
1^st May 2000 - A/ edition
3^rd April 2006 - A1 edition

Our Rights of Way department has advised these three maps all show the southern alignment of the two footpaths as highlighted in red on your maps.

2. We have found an entry in our internal systems to remove the footpath marked in red on your enclosed map [2] dated 29^th September 2010. Although this footpath has been removed in the electronic data of the OS Explorer Map, it is yet to be removed on the printed version and therefore is still detailed in this system at this time.

3. I enclose with this response, scanned copies of correspondence held by Ordnance Survey from xxxxxx County Council dated 28^th May 2009 in relation to the area in your request. No further correspondence, Rights of Way orders or information within any internal systems (other than detailed in this response) is held.

As advised to you in our previous correspondence dated 18^th April 2011 under reference: FOI11155, paper Rights of Way Orders sent to Ordnance Survey by local authorities prior to June 2007 are now held by The National Archives (TNA), and are available for public viewing and we suggest you may like to contact TNA using the previously supplied information.

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.

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: FOI11231/November 2011