A ruling by the High Court that old bridleways can be converted into public rights of way could see landowners forced to allow walkers access to their land.
A secretary of the Ramblers Association found that two bridleways in Crudwell in the Cotswolds, recorded in the 19th century, did not appear on a map of public rights of way. Wiltshire county council refused to re-establish the rights of way, a decision upheld by the secretary of state for the environment, food and rural affairs. Those decisions were overturned on Wednesday.
The decision could herald a further 500 to 1,000 similar cases, it is thought.
The Daily Telegraph, p. 5
