HC Deb 28 February 1984 vol 55 c147W
Mr. Murphy

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why he intends to instruct the Hertfordshire county council to abandon its draft revision of its definitive map and statement of public rights of way.

Mr. Waldegrave

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 introduced a new definitive map review procedure which takes effect after reviews in progress under the old system have been completed or abandoned. Completion generally requires consideration of large number of objections which it has proved impossible to determine within a reasonable period. There has therefore been a presumption in favour of abandonment other than in those cases where all objections are close to determination.

Hertfordshire county council accepts that its draft revision should be abandoned after the objection period has expired but, under this procedure effect will be given to unopposed proposals.