The Rights of Way Committee of Northumberland Council met on Wednesday 17 June 2026 to consider proposals for the modification of the Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way. The meeting's agenda focused on reviewing evidence related to alleged byways open to all traffic in the parishes of Bamburgh and Rothley.

Review of Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way: Alleged Byway Open to All Traffic No. 21, Parish of Bamburgh

The committee was scheduled to consider evidence regarding the existence of public vehicular rights over Public Footpath No. 21 in the parish of Bamburgh. This route runs between the northern end of Byway Open to All Traffic No. 20 at Fowberry and the western end of Byway Open to All Traffic No. 22 at Greenhill. The report pack indicated that the committee was asked to consider whether there was sufficient evidence to show that public vehicular or bridleway rights existed over the route. This matter had previously been the subject of a Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) which was confirmed with modifications by the Secretary of State in 2022, following a legal challenge by the Trail Riders' Fellowship. The current application was based on new evidence not available at the time of the original decision.

Review of Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way: Alleged Byway Open to All Traffic No. 17, Parish of Rothley

The committee was scheduled to review evidence concerning public vehicular rights over the U4053 road in the parish of Rothley. This route connects the C162 road and the B6342 road, passing via Tuthill/High Hartington and Gallows Hill. The report recommended that the committee agree that there was sufficient evidence to indicate that public vehicular rights had been reasonably alleged to exist over the route from point T to U, and that the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 would not appear to have extinguished these rights. The recommendation was for this section of the route to be included in a future Definitive Map Modification Order as a byway open to all traffic.

Review of Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way: Alleged Byway Open to All Traffic No. 18, Parish of Rothley

The committee was also scheduled to consider evidence regarding public vehicular rights over the U4054 road in the parish of Rothley. This route runs from the B6342 road, west of Tuthill, in a general westerly direction via Low Fairnley, to Fairnley. The report recommended that the committee agree that sufficient evidence existed to show that public vehicular rights had been reasonably alleged to exist over the route from point V to W, and to show, on a balance of probability, that public vehicular rights exist over the route from W to Y. However, it was recommended that there was not sufficient evidence to show public vehicular rights over the section from Y to X. The report further recommended that the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 would not appear to have extinguished motor vehicular rights over the V-W part of the route, but would appear to have extinguished them over the W-Y part. Consequently, it was recommended that the V-W section be included as a byway open to all traffic, and the W-Y section be upgraded to a restricted byway.

The meeting also included standard agenda items such as noting the committee's membership, receiving apologies for absence, agreeing minutes of the previous meeting, and procedures for the disclosure of members' interests.