Waltham Forest Public Rights of Way (PRoW)
Source: data.gov.uk (2024-10-31)

Waltham Forest Public Rights of Way (PRoW). Public Rights of Way (PRoW) for the London Borough of Waltham Forest. The paths have been snapped to Ordnance Survey MasterMap Topography data where possible and made available under the 'presumption to publish' criteria.

(/)

Main navigation
- Events (/events)
- News (/stories)
Translate this page (#)

Main navigation
- Events (/events)
- News (/stories)
Tasks
- Pay (/tasks/pay)
- Find (/tasks/find)
- Apply (/tasks/apply)
- Report (/tasks/report)
- Book (/tasks/book)
All services
- Adult social care (/adult-social-care)
- Arts, parks, libraries and leisure (/libraries-arts-parks-and-leisure)
- Benefits and money advice (/benefits-and-money-advice)
- Births, deaths and marriages (/births-deaths-and-marriages)
- Businesses (/businesses)
- Consultations (/consultations)
- Council and elections (/council-and-elections)
- Council tax (/council-tax)
- Directories (/directory-services-waltham-forest)
- Families, young people and children (/families-young-people-and-children)
- Get involved (/get-involved)
- Health and wellbeing (/health-and-wellbeing)
- Housing (/housing)
- Jobs and training (/jobs-and-training)
- Neighbourhoods (/neighbourhoods)
- Parking, roads and travel (/parking-roads-and-travel)
- Planning and building control (/planning-and-building-control)
- Regeneration and growth (/regeneration-and-growth)
- Rubbish and recycling (/rubbish-and-recycling)
- Schools, education and learning (/schools-education-and-learning)
- Home (/)
- Parking, roads and travel (/parking-roads-and-travel)
- Roads and pavements (/parking-roads-and-travel/roads-and-pavements)
- Rights of way
Rights of way

Advice and information about location and status of public rights of way within Waltham Forest.

Last updated: 2 October 2025

Next review: 16 September 2026

What is a public right of way?

In England and Wales, public rights of way are paths on which the public have a legally protected right to pass and re-pass.

They exist for the benefit of the community at large, in the same way as the public road network does. There are numerous footpaths, lanes and alleyways that form a network of public rights of way within Waltham Forest.

Many form part of the public highway and are maintainable at public expense. However, some are not part of the public highway, but are accessible to the public and may be useful and busy routes.

Definitive map

The council has a duty to maintain a definitive map and associated schedule of rights of way within its boundaries.

There is a legal principle: “once a highway, always a highway”. All public rights of way are highways, and once a right of way exists, it remains unless and until it is lawfully closed or diverted. This can only happen as a result of legal action by a local authority, a magistrate’s court or a government department, or through an act of parliament.

You can download the spatial data for the council's public rights of way (/sites/default/files/2025-01/Waltham_Forest_PRoW.gpkg) in GIS format, GeoPackage (.gpkg). It is provided under the Open Government Licence (OGL), which means you can freely re-use this data.

Viewing the map

To view the legal record of Public Rights of Way, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx):
- details of the address, location or grid square you are interested in,
- your name, contact telephone number and/or email address.
Amending the map

There are legal processes which need to be followed if you want to amend the Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way.

Should you wish to make such an application, please return a completed copy of the Public Rights of Way evidence form (see link) (fee payable*).

Legislation

The council has a duty to assert and protect the rights of the public to the use and enjoyment of any highway (including public rights of way). This means we are obliged to keep rights of way open and usable.

Under government legislation, the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act, all highway authorities, including outer London boroughs must produce Rights of Way Improvement Plans (ROWIPs).

A draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan was produced in November 2007. The consultation was held in January and February 2008 and the plan was consequently revised to take account of some of the issues raised. This plan was formally approved in September 2008.

Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2008
- The vision, foreword and contents sheet (https://static.walthamforest.gov.uk/sp/Documents/rights-of-way-vision.pdf) (PDF)
- Chapter 1: Introduction (https://static.walthamforest.gov.uk/sp/Documents/rights-of-way-chapter1.pdf) (PDF)
- Chapter 2: The definitive map and statement (https://static.walthamforest.gov.uk/sp/Documents/rights-of-way-chapter2.pdf) (PDF)
- Chapter 3: The public rights of way network (https://static.walthamforest.gov.uk/sp/Documents/rights-of-way-chapter3.pdf) (PDF)
- Chapter 4: Assessment and evaluation (https://static.walthamforest.gov.uk/sp/Documents/rights-of-way-chapter4.pdf) (PDF)
- Chapter 5: Future demands and links to London Borough of Waltham Forest strategic documents (https://static.walthamforest.gov.uk/sp/Documents/rights-of-way-chapter5.pdf) (PDF)
- Chapter 6: The statement of action (SoA) (https://static.walthamforest.gov.uk/sp/Documents/rights-of-way-chapter6.pdf) (PDF)
- Chapter 7: Funding (https://static.walthamforest.gov.uk/sp/Documents/rights-of-way-chapter7.pdf) (PDF)
- Chapter 8: Programming (https://static.walthamforest.gov.uk/sp/Documents/rights-of-way-chapter8.pdf) (PDF)
- Abbreviations and glossary of terms (https://static.walthamforest.gov.uk/sp/Documents/rights-of-way-glossary.pdf) (PDF)
Procedures to amend existing rights of way

Members of the public can request closure or amendment of an existing route, or propose a new right of way be registered. If you would like to take this course of action, please write to:

Head of Highways and InfrastructurePublic RealmEnvironment and Regeneration,Low Hall, Argall AvenueLondon E10

Unlawful closure

If you think you know of a public right of way which has been unlawfully closed or made impassable, please complete the evidence form below and return it to the Head of Highways and Infrastructure address in the section above.
- Public rights of way evidence form (https://static.walthamforest.gov.uk/sp/documents/public-rights-of-way-jun11.doc) (Word)
- Public rights of way evidence form (https://static.walthamforest.gov.uk/sp/documents/public-rights-of-way-jun11.pdf) (PDF)
Highways Act 1980 Section 31(6) & Commons Act 2006 Section 15A – Statements, Declarations and Register(s)

Overview

Section 31(6) enables landowners to protect their land from gaining public rights of way through use by the public. The landowner can send to the council a statement, map and declaration showing the extent of their land and the rights of way they admit over it (if any).

Section 15A of the Commons Act 2006 allows landowners to deposit a map and statement to protect their land from registration as a town or village green, whilst allowing access to it.

Further information on the above can be found on the GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/commons-act-2006-landowner-statements-highways-statements-and-declarations-form) website.

Making an application

Government Guidance on making such applications, applying to (i) depositing a statement and map under section 31(6) of the Highways Act 1980; (ii) lodging a declaration under section 31(6) of the Highways Act 1980; and (iii) depositing a statement under section 15A(1) of the Commons Act 2006 is provided by clicking the link below:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7c0d5a40f0b63f7572b0ad/pb14043-ca16-form-guidance.pdf

The CA16 application form can be submitted for either a Section 31(6) or 15(A)1 application. Before completing your form, please read the guidance provided by DEFRA. The corresponding application form is to be found by clicking the below link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/commons-act-2006-landowner-statements-highways-statements-and-declarations-form

The Council encourages landowners to deposit the documents referred to here to protect their interest(s) and to provide greater certainty for users. As these deposits are public documents, the status of the land referred to is made clear to all. The deposit(s) ensure(s):
- that informal use of tracks / routes / / paths / access can continue without a public right of way being formed by use
- all new tracks / routes / paths / access will be protected from the outset.
- the land is protected from the date of the deposit up to a period of twenty (20) years at which time it may be renewed by a new deposit.
Fees and charges applicable

£650 for any initial deposit made under terms of Section 31(6) of the Highways Act 1980 by completing Parts A and B of Form CA16.

£650 ea. for any subsequent declaration(s) made under terms of Section 31(6) of the Highways Act 1980 by completing Part C of Form CA16.

Applications / Statements / Declarations Register

A searchable / navigable register of applications / statements & declarations – including links to accompanying maps – is to be found here (/sites/default/files/2025-09/S.31%286%29%20Register.xlsx) (the register can also be viewed, by appointment, at Low Hall, Argall Avenue, Leyton E10 7AS – contact particulars provided below):

Further information:

Public Rights of Way

Low Hall

Argall Avenue

Leyton

London

E10 7AS

Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx

Email: highways.admin:@walthamforest.gov.uk

Was this page useful?

Footer links
- Accessibility (/council-and-elections/information-about-website/website-accessibility)
- Privacy policy (/council-and-elections/your-data-and-privacy)
- Cookies policy (/council-and-elections/information-about-website/cookies-used-website)
- Disclaimer (/council-and-elections/information-about-website/website-disclaimer)
- Contact us (/council-and-elections/about-us/contact-waltham-forest-council)
- Press office (/council-and-elections/about-us/press-office)
(https://x.com/wfcouncil) (https://www.facebook.com/walthamforestcouncil/) (https://instagram.com/lbwalthamforest/) (https://www.youtube.com/user/CouncilWalthamForest/)

© London Borough of Waltham Forest, 2026