A restricted byway that has been recorded in Norfolk. Photo: OSS

Campaigners have condemned the Westminster government for reneging on a commitment to ditch a deadline for recording lost paths in England.

Environment secretary Thérèse Coffey’s decision only to grant a five-year extension to the 2026 cut-off date means the public’s right to use these routes will be disappear for ever, the Open Spaces Society said.

Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the society and a member of the stakeholder working group which has been advising government on the rights-of-way reforms, said: “This is a short-sighted and obstructive decision by the secretary of state, and will lead to the loss of thousands of public paths.

“At a time when outdoor activity has never been more important for our health and wellbeing, government decides to reduce those opportunities.

“Users of the path network have already spent years researching the historic evidence needed to claim paths. But there is no way that they can research them all before the deadline, and the local authorities no longer have the resources to process the applications in a timely manner.

“We shall continue to call for revocation of this pernicious deadline, as it flies in the face of winning more and better access in town and country, and of saving our heritage of public paths.”

The 2026 deadline for officially recording paths that have been missed off definitive maps was originally part of the provisions of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, which also conferred the right to use upland and uncultivated areas designated as open access land in England and Wales. Scotland has more extensive rights to roam under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.

The British Horse Society said the decision not to abolish the 2026 deadline was extremely disappointing.

Mark Weston, director of access at the British Horse Society said: “Recent years have illustrated just how vital more off-road access is for the safety, health and wellbeing of horse riders, as well as walkers and cyclists.

“These bridleways and byways should be protected for future generations to enjoy and treasure. Unfortunately, this u-turn from the government could cause the opposite effect and will put access to safe riding routes at great risk.

“We will continue to work with our brilliant network of over 400 access volunteers to research and record these routes. However, it must be recognised that there is already a backlog of applications waiting to be processed and the necessary steps need to be put in place quickly to make it possible for paths to be researched, applied for, and processed within this tight deadline.

“The outcome of this announcement means that many of our favourite off-road routes will be gone forever.”