Footpath

Public footpaths are rights of way originally created by people walking across the land to work, market, the next village, church, and school.

They were most common during the centuries that preceded motorised transportation in Western Europe, and in particular the British Isles and the Netherlands (where such a path is called "kerkenpad" (lit.

Also, organizations have been formed in various countries to protect the right to use public footpaths, including the Ramblers Association and the Open Spaces Society in England.

In Scotland there is no legal distinction between a footpath and a bridleway and it is generally accepted that cyclists and horse riders may follow any right of way with a suitable surface.

It advises the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and National Assembly for Wales on applications for works on common land.

Local authorities are legally required to consult the society whenever there is a proposal to alter the route of a public right of way.

Another type is the alley, normally providing access to the rear of properties or connecting built-up roads not easily reached by vehicles.

In St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada The Grand Concourse, is an integrated walkway system that has over 160 kilometers (99 mi) of footpaths which link every major park, river, pond, and green space in six municipalities.

In London, England, there are several long-distance walking routes which combine footpaths and roads to link green spaces.

In older cities and towns in Europe, alleys are often what is left of a medieval street network, or a right of way or ancient footpath.

In some older urban development in North America lanes at the rear of houses, to allow for deliveries and garbage collection, are called alleys.

[19] Footpaths (and other rights of way) have been combined, and new paths created, so as to produce long-distance walking routes in a number of countries.

Urban footpaths may be constructed of masonry, brick, concrete, asphalt, cut stone or wood boardwalk.

In the countryside there are issues relating to conflicts between walkers and livestock, and these occasionally result in people being injured or even killed.

Also footpaths in remote locations can be difficult to maintain and a route along a country path can be impeded by ploughing, crops, overgrown vegetation, illegal barriers (including barbed wire), damaged stiles, etc.

One notable example was with the millionaire property tycoon Nicholas Van Hoogstraten who had a long-standing dislike of and dispute with ramblers, describing them as "scum of the earth".

[23] Another conflict involved Jeremy Clarkson, a TV presenter and Top Gear host who lives on the Isle of Man.