What is the Definitive Map and how to access it?

What is the Definitive Map?

The Definitive Map and Statement (the "DM&S") of Public Rights of Way is the legal record of public rights of way in the county. Gloucestershire County Council is the surveying authority responsible for maintaining the DM&S as the accurate record of all public rights of way in the County. 

The rights recorded on the Definitive Map & Statement are as follows (as defined under section 66 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and section 48 of the Commons & Rights of Way Act 2000):

• Footpath - a highway over which the public have a right of way on foot only, other than such a highway at the side of a public road 
• Bridleway - a highway over which the public have the following, but no other, rights of way, that is to say, a right of way on foot and a right of way on horseback or leading a horse, with or without a right to drive animals of any description along the highway; pedal cycles may be used on a bridleway
• Restricted Byway - a highway over which the public have restricted byway rights (being a right of way on foot, on horseback or leading a horse, and for vehicles other than mechanically propelled vehicles), with or without a right to drive animals of any description along the highway, but no other rights of way
• Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT) - a highway over which the public have a right of way for vehicular and all other kinds of traffic, but which is used by the public mainly for the purpose for which footpaths and bridleways are so used.

Where to view the Definitive Maps?

The maps are stored in the public map room at Shire Hall, Westgate Street, Gloucester (accessed from main reception). You can ordinarily view the original maps during office hours and there no need to book an appointment.

Access times and arrangements to the Map Room:  these are shown on our main Highway Records page at Highway Records, so please check for the open/closed status on the day of your proposed visit.

The maps are based on Ordnance Survey sheets and are split into geographical areas according to the old Rural Districts. If you are unsure as to which map volume you require, there is a list in the Map Room that indicates which Parish belongs to which old Rural District area.

The original Definitive Maps are printed at a scale of 1:10,560; some of the more densely covered areas have larger scale insets.

Electronic Public Rights of Way information

An electronic representation of the rights of way network is available online at: Rights of Way Map. Important: This is not the definitive map but our attempt to show the data in an electronic format.