Public Rights of Way Section 31(6) deposits

If a path is used by the public for 20 years or more, it can become a public right of way.

To help prevent additional public rights of way being established, landowners must:

  • deposit a map and statement with us, showing recognised public rights of way over their land
  • make a statutory declaration, which will need to be renewed every 10 years, confirming that no new rights of way have been dedicated
  • install other measures, such as signs, to challenge any unauthorised public access on their land.

From this page, you can download:

  • a list of deposits made with us since 2005
  • a step by step guide to making a deposit
  • an example of a statutory declaration and statement.

We also receive applications to alter the Definitive Map, see Definitive Map Modification Orders.

Contact us

To view documents associated with an entry or for more information about making a deposit as a landowner please contact the Rights of Way team.

Acrobat (PDF)
Public Rights of Way Section 31(6) deposits (91k)
List of Public Rights of Way registered with East Sussex County Council since 1995, under Section 31(6) of the Highways Act 1980.
Making a deposition under the Highways Act 1980, section 31(6) (79k)
Preparing maps, statements and statutory declarations - a step by step guide for landowners or their agents.
Example of statutory declaration and statement (240k)
For reference only. These are only examples and not documents for you to fill in the blanks.