Rights of Way Decisions by Planning Inspectorate 2022 The Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is the final arbiter of decisions to modify the official record of rights of way known as the Definitive Map and Statement. Decisions are delegated to the Planning Inspectorate and all objected orders should be referred to them for confirmation. In the 2022 calendar year 62 final decisions have been published of which 17 were refused with 45 being confirmed, sometimes with minor amendments. There were also 12 "interim decisions" where the inspector concluded that the order should be confirmed but the proposed modification meant it required further advertisement - this usually occurs where the proposal is for a different status, perhaps finding that the route should be recorded as a Restricted Byway rather than a bridleway or perhaps evidence only supports footpath. The process often feels frustratingly slow and I know of examples of cases ...