The Ramblers said draft provisions would make it easier to record rights of way

Britain’s biggest walkers’ charity said it is working with the Government to simplify the process to get maps recorded on official maps.

The Ramblers said the measures are good news for walkers and landowners.

A spokesperson for the organisation said it had been working with other stakeholders to simplify the laws surrounding rights of way in England and helping to make processes such as adding existing, but unrecorded, paths to the definitive map – the official record of all public rights of way – more straightforward.

“Adding paths to the definitive map means that they are protected for future walkers, preventing them from being closed, blocked off or built upon,” the spokesperson said.

“The measures outlined in the draft Deregulation Bill build on recommendations from a stakeholder working group, of which the Ramblers were a part, including businesses, landowners, path users and local government.

“The Ramblers will monitor the development of the bill closely and continue to work with Government to ensure the best outcome for walkers.”

Eugene Suggett, Ramblers senior policy officer, said: “Currently some processes which deal with rights of way can be lengthy and, at times, costly too.

“We worked in partnership with government and other stakeholders to look at ways to make it simpler whilst ensuring that paths are still properly protected.

“We will continue to monitor the bill closely and work to achieve the best outcome for our vital path network and the millions of walkers who use it.”