The Definitive Map and the Definitive Statement together form the legal record of public rights of way. This record is only definitive as to what it contains not to what it omits.
Public rights may exist over a way currently not shown on the map or alternatively additional rights may exist over a way. Where such rights are alleged to exist there are procedures to enable the allegations to be tested. These are set out in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and allow the County Council to make a legal order known as a 'Definitive Map Modification Order'.
Schedule 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 allows a formal application to be made to the County Council to investigate whether or not new or additional public rights exist. This section also gives the applicant recourse to appeal to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the council decides not to make an order or does not make a decision within 12 months of its receipt.
Under Section 53B of the Wildlife and Countryside Act the County Council maintains a register of all current Map Modification Order (MMO) applications made under schedule 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Listed below are the current or recently completed applications. There is a another page for Rights of Way Public Notices. Select from the index below for the borough and then the links to find out about individual claims in your area.
- Elmbridge
- Epsom and Ewell
- Guildford
- Mole Valley
- Reigate and Banstead
- Runnymede
- Spelthorne
- Surrey Heath
- Tandridge
- Waverley
- Woking
Elmbridge
- Alleged public footpath from Littleheath Lane to Water Lane, Esher
- Alleged public Right of Way along (part of) Cottimore Lane, Walton and Weybridge
- Alleged public footpath from Hawkshill Way, Esher to Public Footpath 43, Esher
- Alleged public footpath from Broadfields to Hampton Court Way, Esher
Epsom and Ewell
None
Guildford
- Alleged public bridleways along footpaths 566 and 3 (Wisley) and 129 (Byfleet)
- Alleged public footpath/bridleway between Public Footpath No.453 (Wanborough) (SU 9419 4991) and Public Footpath No.446 (Worplesdon) (SU 9655 4998), known as West Flexford Lane
- Alleged public footpath from Jacobs Well Road to Westfield Road, (Worplesdon and Guildford)
- Alleged public bridleway at Hillside Manor, West Horsley
- Alleged public right of way between Bridleway 476 (Shalford) and Bridleway 476 (Bramley)
- Alleged public bridleway from Shophouse Lane to junction with BOAT 507 and 508 (Albury)
- Alleged public footpath from Little Warren Close to Merrow Downs, Guildford
- Alleged public bridleways at Effingham Common (Effingham)
Mole Valley
- Alleged public footpath from London Road to Fairfield Drive, Dorking
- Alleged public footpath between South End and Ashdale (Leatherhead)
- Alleged public bridleway from footpaths 236 (Capel) and 264 (Holmwood) to bridleway 234 (Holmwood)
Reigate and Banstead
- Alleged public footpath from Rectory Lane to Lyndhurst Road, Woodmansterne (Banstead)
- Alleged public footpath from Woodhatch Road to Atherton Road (Reigate)
- Alleged public footpath from The Crossways to Nutfield Road (Merstham)
- Alleged public footpath from Lonesome Lane to Woodhatch Road, Reigate, including spur to Felland Way
Runnymede
None
Spelthorne
- Alleged public footpath between Stratton Road and Layton's Lane (Sunbury)
- Alleged public footpath from Penton Road to Footpath 36 (Staines)
Surrey Heath
- Application to delete public footpath 185 (Windlesham) from the Definitive Map
- Alleged public footpath from Little Heath Road to Burr Hill Lane (Chobham)
- Alleged public byway along High View Road (Windlesham)
Tandridge
- Alleged public footpaths from Tylers Close Godstone to FP122 Bletchingley
- Alleged public footpath around the Recreation Field, Woldingham
Waverley
- Alleged public footpath between footpath 165 Bramley and 166 (Busbridge)
- Application to add width of 30' to the statement for bridleway 99 (Thursley)
- Application to add width of 30' to the statement for bridleway 101 (Thursley)
- Alleged public right of way between Bridleway 476 (Shalford) and Bridleway 476 (Bramley)
- Alleged public bridleway between Flambards Way and Woolsack Way, Godalming
- Alleged public right of way between public footpath 137 (Witley) and public footpath 137 (Chiddingfold)
- Alleged public footpath between Footpath 393 (Cranleigh) and Bridleway 280a (Alfold)
- Alleged public bridleway between Smugglers Way and Crooksbury Common, Tilford
- Alleged public footpath from Longhope Drive to Footpath 37 (Farnham)
- Alleged public footpath from 1 (Tilford) to 340A (Seale and Sands)