The Rights of Way network is not fixed in stone, and over time there have been a large number of changes to the network. Below are details of current Orders open for objections and representations, along with recently confirmed Orders, with links to the relevant documents.
These are changes that move, close or create paths to benefit the public or the landowner/occupier.
Most landowners will soon have a right to apply for orders on their land. We are obliged to keep a register of all current applications. This will be added to our webpages when the right comes into effect.
The cost of changes are generally met by the beneficiary or applicant.
This is detailed in our current guidance, costs, and application form.
Decisions taken under delegated powers
Decisions with regard to most public path orders are taken under delegated powers. Under the Openness of Government Regulations 2014 we publish all these decisions which can be seen on the Openness of Government- Delegated Decisions page, which can be accessed here.
Decisions taken through our Rights of Way Committee procedures are on our committees page of this website (Rights of Way Committee page can be found here).
These are changes made based on historical evidence. If any member of the public believes that the definitive map (the legal record of rights of way) is incorrect, then they can make an application to us to modify the map. Changes can be to delete a path incorrectly shown, alter incorrect alignments, change the status (from footpath to bridleway for instance) or add routes not shown in the current map.
We are obliged to keep a register of all current modification order applications, these can be found on the Cumberland County Council and Westmorland & Furness County Council websites.
All Modification Order decisions are taken through our Rights of Way Committee procedures and are on our committee page - with links to this also on here.
To divert the public footpath at Knott Cottage, Far Sawrey (previously Harrowslack) to a line just outside the garden wall (south) beween SD 3808 9533 and SD 3812 9532
Objection and Representation Period: 26 February 2026 to 26 March 2026
Remove from website: after 26 March 2026.
Proposal | Modify the definitive map and statement by amending the recorded definitive line of the footpath from Main Street at SD 0841 9637 west-northwestwards alongside Spindrift (cottage) to the foreshore at SD 0837 9638, and updating the associated particulars within the definitive statement |
Objection and Representation Period | 6 February 2026 to 18 March 2026 |
Link to Order and Notice | |
Remove from website | Once confirmed. |
Divert Public Footpath 361038 between Lowther Barn and Shap Abbey between:
* NY 5374 1580 & NY 5382 1576 - through the curtilage of Lowther Barn to the used route less than 10m to the south;
* NY 5383 1575 & NY 5397 1565 - south of the barn to a new route eastwards over the dyke then south-eastwards along the dyke edge;
* NY 5453 1559 & NY 5472 1530 - a minimal distance onto the walked line then benched track running towards Shap Abbey.
The order made on 4 September 2025 incorporating the above, and an additional section between NY 5397 1565 and NY 5453 1559 has been formally abandoned and is replaced by this new order.
Objection and Representation Period: 30 January 2026 to 2 March 2026
Date to remove from website: 30 July 2026
Type of change | The diversion order made has been formally abandoned following objections to one section of the diversion. It has been replaced by the order referenced above. The creation order received no objections, and will be confirmed in due course. Diversion of Footpath 361038, Lowther Barn to Shap Abbey, and Creation of Footpath 361050, Shap Abbey, Shap Rural Parish |
Council area | Westmorland and Furness |
Proposal | Divert Public Footpath 361038 between Lowther Barn and Shap Abbey between: * NY 5374 1580 & NY 5382 1576 - through the curtilage of Lowther Barn to the used route less than 10m to the south; * NY 5383 1575 & NY 5397 1565 - south of the barn to a new route eastwards over the dyke then south-eastwards along the dyke edge; * NY 5397 1565 & NY 5453 1559 - to the used route following the field boundary at most 90m to the south, then to NY 5470 1532 at most 30m to the east; * NY 5470 1532 & NY 5472 1530 - a minimal distance onto the benched track running towards Shap Abbey. Create Footpath 361050 at Shap Abbey running down the bank between NY 5471 1532 on the newly diverted route of Footpath 361038 and NY 5472 1533 on the unchanged route of Footpath 361038 as shown on the order plan. |
Objection and Representation Period | 20 September 2025 to 18 October 2025 |
Link to Order and Notice |
Parish: Broughton West Parish (Duddon Parish Council)
Location: Occupation Lane, Broughton-in-Furness
Path: Bridleways 520070 & 520071
Proposal: Modify the definitive map by adding two sections of bridleway along Occupation Lane a) between Station Road in Broughton and Broughton Park, and b) between Broughton Park and Bush Green on the A595
Objection and Representation Period: 18 August 2022 to 21 October 2022
Objection has been received and matter has been submitted to Secretary of State to determine.
Council area | Cumberland |
Detail of change | On 11 December 2025 the Secretary of State confirmed the above order to adding a footpath alongside (and across) the River Irt from Gaterigghow Bridge at NY 107 041 to near Hollins Bridge at NY 104 029, as shown on the order plan. There is currently no bridge across the River Irt, and we will be working with various parties on this issue. |
Link to Order and Notice | |
Website expiry date | 28th January 2026 |
Type of change | Diversion of Footpath 512021, Heathwaite, Coniston Parish |
Council area | Westmorland and Furness |
Detail of change | Diversion of the footpath at Heathwaite through fields to the east of the farm, from the track at SD 2959 9694 through the field to the U5013 road at SD 2961 9689, and from the end of the U5013 through field to SD 2957 9683 |
Period during which an application can be made to High Court to question the validity of the Order | Six weeks from 27 November 2025 |
Link to Order and Notice | |
Website expiry date | 27 May 2026 |
Type of change | Diversion of Bridleway between Far Easedale and Rosthwaite, with associated extinguishments and creations, Lakes: Grasmere, St Johns Castlerigg and Wythburn, and Borrowdale Parishes |
Council area | Westmorland and Furness; Cumberland |
Proposal | On 11 November 2025 we confirmed the above orders to divert the Bridleway between Far Easedale and Rosthwaite, with associated extinguishments and creations, as shown on the order plan. The public bridleway numbered 542014, 249041 and 212021 between Far Easedale, Lakes: Grasmere Parish and Rosthwaite, Borrowdale Parish, has been diverted to the pitched, surfaced and well-used path to ensure that the definitive map more accurately reflects the situation on the ground. In order that linking rights of way terminate on the diverted bridleway, bridleway 212025 (Borrowdale) has also been diverted, and footpaths 542044 (Lakes: Grasmere) and 212027 (Borrowdale) have been extended, and short stretches of footpaths 542012 (Lakes: Grasmere), 542037 (Lakes: Grasmere), 249074 (St Johns, Castlerigg & Wythburn) and 249051 (St Johns, Castlerigg & Wythburn) have been extinguished so that they terminate on the diverted bridleway. The order has diverted Bridleway 542014 (Lakes: Grasmere) at the locations below:
Bridleway 249041 (St Johns, Castlerigg & Wythburn) has been diverted between Point X: NY 2956 1027 and Point CC: NY 2857 1054 to the north, then south, then north and east, for a maximum of 140m away from the previous definitive line, more generally around 50m for a distance of 1,150m. Bridleway 212021 (Borrowdale) has been diverted:
Bridleway 212025 (Borrowdale) has been diverted between Point QQ: NY 2743 1299 and Point SS: NY 2743 1301 for 30m to join with newly diverted bridleway 212021. Footpath FP 542044 (Lakes: Grasmere) has been created for a length of 33 metres between Point D: NY 3185 0936 and Point E: NY 3183 0936 (both points on Bridleway 542014) across the footbridge at Stythwaite Steps. Footpath FP 212027 (Borrowdale) has been extended for 22 metres from Point FF: NY 2855 1054 to Point DD: NY 2856 1055 on the newly created Bridleway 212021. 6m of Public Footpath 542012 (Lakes: Grasmere) has been extinguished between Point G: NY 3177 0935 and Point F: NY 3178 0936 so that it terminates on the newly diverted Bridleway 542014. 71m of Public Footpath 542037 (Lakes: Grasmere) / 249074 (St Johns, Castlerigg & Wythburn) has been extinguished between Point X: NY 2956 1027 and Point Z: NY 2952 1021 so that it terminates on the newly diverted Bridleway 249041. 27m of Public Footpath 249051 has been extinguished between Point BB NY 2859 1053 and Point EE NY 2856 1052 so that it terminates on newly diverted Bridleway 249041. A copy of the orders and plans may be seen during office hours at; Customer Services, Cumberland Council, Allerdale House, New Bridge Road, Workington, CA14 3YJ; Westmorland and Furness Council, Customer Services, South Lakeland House, Lowther Street, Kendal, LA9 4DQ, Keswick Information Centre, Moot Hall, CA12 5JR, and at the Lake District National Park Authority, Wayfaring House, Murley Moss, Oxenholme Road, Kendal, LA9 7RL. You can also buy copies from the Authority for £3 each or view online at www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/rowchanges Any person who wishes to claim compensation under Section 28 of the 1980 Act for depreciation or damage by disturbance arising as a result of the order must make a claim in writing to the Solicitor to the Authority to arrive not later than 28 May 2026. The orders will come into force on 28 November 2025. If any person aggrieved by the orders wants to question their validity, or any provision contained within, they can apply to the High Court within six weeks from 28 November 2025. The grounds for applying are that: the order was not made within the powers of the Highways Act 1980 (as amended), or that any requirement of the Act (as amended), or of any regulation made under the Act has not been complied with. |
Objection and Representation Period | Six weeks from 28 November 2025 |
Link to Order and Notice | |
Website expiry date | 28 May 2026. |
Council area | Westmorland and Furness |
Proposal | Divert the public footpath running through Fallen Yew between grid references SD 4673 9223 and SD 4672 9230 so that it follows a straighter route along the new access track |
Representation Period | Six weeks from 18 September 2025 |
Link to Order and Notice | |
Website expiry date | 18 March 2026 |
Type of change | Diversion Order, Parts of Footpaths 573017, 573018 and 573019, Field End Farm, Staveley-in-Cartmel Parish |
Council area | Westmorland and Furness |
Details | We have confirmed an Order diverting part of footpath 573017 to a new route to the south of the farm buildings (between SD 3729 8366 to SD 3739 8375), part of footpath 573018 out of the wetland area onto a drier route to the east (between SD 3739 8375 and SD 3743 8400) and part of footpath 573019 south of the field barn onto the used trod (SD 3740 8402 to SD 3743 8400). |
Objection and Representation Period | Six weeks from 26 June 2025 |
Link to Order and Notice | Links to Site Notice, and Notice/Order/Plan (web copy) |
Remove from website | 26 December 2025 |
Type of change | Diversion Order, Part of Footpath 573016, Field End Farm, Staveley-in-Cartmel Parish |
Council area | Westmorland and Furness |
Details | We have confirmed an Order diverting part of footpath 573016 to a new route though a wicket gate to the northwest of the main track (over the cattle grid), between SD 3726 8421 and SD 3725 8420. |
Objection and Representation Period | Six weeks from 26 June 2025 |
Link to Order and Notice | Links to Site Notice, and Notice/Order/Plan (web copy) |
Remove from website | 26 December 2025 |
Creation of Footpath 407058 to the south-east of Ennerdale Water, Ennerdale & Kinniside Parish
Path | Footpath |
Proposal | To create a footpath from FP407024 to the south-east of Ennerdale at NY |
| Current Situation | Confirmed on 5 September 2024 by the Secretary of State Decision Letter Notice Copy of Confirmed Order |
Path | Bridleway 407028 and Footpaths 407024, 407042 and 407054 |
Proposal |
|
Current Situation | Confirmed on 5 September 2024 by the Secretary of State |
Path | Footpath 419037, Greendale Gill |
Proposal | The Secretary of State has confirmed an Order which has diverted the path between Greendale (NY144 058) and Greendale Tarn (NY 146 072), to the pitched and surfaced path to ensure that the legal maps more accurately reflect the situation on the ground |
Current Situation | Confirmed on 13 January 2026 by the Secretary of State |
Proposal | The Lake District National Park Authority has entered into an agreement to create a public footpath f SD 3736 8982 on the public road C5026 opposite the YMCA entrance, generally south-westwards through The Brows and Scar Wood for about 565 metres to the track at SD 3704 8946 below Stott Park Heights.. We would like to thank the landowners for their kind offer and for working with us to achieve this improvement to the public access network. |
Objection and Representation Period | None |
Date agreement effective | 04 December 2025 |
Link to MAP | |
Date to remove from website | Thursday 5 June 2026 |
Council area | Cumberland |
Proposal | The LDNPA have entered into an agreement with the landowner to create a bridleway from Bridleway 407018 at NY 0552 1298 for around 1085m in a generally northerly direction alongside Nannycatch Beck, crossing the beck via a ford and footbridge at NY 0572 1328 and then through a series of step over fords to Footpath 407020 at NY 0580 1392. The agreement will upgrade part of public footpath 407020 from NY 0580 1392 generally north-eastwards to NY 0585 1395 to bridleway status. Then will create a bridleway from NY 0585 1395 generally northwards for 445m to the public road U4278 at NY 0601 1430, then north and north eastwards for 200m crossing Mere Beck via a ford/footbridge at NY 0609 1436 to the public road C4004 at Scarny Brow at NY 06169 14392. The agreement will also create Footpath 407055 from Bridleway 407069 on the south side of the Kest Bank at the northern boundary of Kinniside Common on Scarny Brow at NY 06166 14385 northwards through the boundary to the existing Footpath 407055 at NY 06166 14393. |
Objection and Representation Period | None |
Date agreement effective | 4 September 2025 |
Link to MAP (not full agreement) | |
Date to remove from website | 24 March 2026 |
