Statutory deposits

All surveying authorities are required to keep electronic registers of the following:

• Deposits of maps, statements and declarations made under section 31(6) of the Highways Act 1980 (public rights of way acknowledged by landowners).

This is a register of declarations that have been lodged and maps and statements that have been deposited under section 31(6) of the 1980 Highways Act. These declarations and statements enable landowners to formally acknowledge public rights of way across their land and, in doing so, create a presumption that they have no intention to dedicate any further routes across their land. These declarations remain continuously valid so long as they are renewed every 10 years at the latest.