The Countryside Access Team

Section 31A of the Highways Act 1980, inserted by paragraph 4 of Schedule 6 to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, requires authorities to set up a register of declarations lodged and maps and statements deposited under section 31(6) of the 1980 Act as outlined in DEFRA's Guidance for the register of Highway Act declarations.

These declarations and statements enable any landowner to formally acknowledge public rights of way across their land and by doing so also indicate their lack of intention to dedicate any additional rights of access. Click here for further information about Section 31(6).  For a 'step by step guide to completing the relevant documentation, click here.

This register is kept in both electronic and paper form. The paper copy is kept at County Hall, Kingston and can be viewed on request during office hours. The electronic copy can be viewed or searched by clicking on the following link.

 Register of Section 31(6) deposits