Over 30,000 public rights of ways are blocked in England and Wales, research has found.
A Freedom of Information (FoI) request from Which? revealed that at least 32,000 rights of ways were obstructed by October 2024.
Of the 128 councils that responded to the FOI, a total of 8169 Definitive Map Modification Orders (DMMOs) were left pending or undetermined.
A Which? survey of the Ramblers walkers and HF Holidays volunteer walk leaders also found that some of the footpaths had been blocked on purpose.
Researchers recommended that members of the public report any blockages to their local council online, as well as applying for support through the Ramblers’ ‘Paths Accessibility Fund’ or HF Holidays’ Pathways Fund to help protect footpaths.
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