http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/66/section/26Highways Act 1980An Act to consolidate the Highways Acts 1959 to 1971 and related enactments, with amendments to give effect to recommendations of the Law Commission.1981-03-01texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-07-07Expert Participation2026-07-01 Part III Creation of Highways Compulsory powers for creation of footpaths <Substitution ChangeId="M_F_c1953f63-b518-4995-910f-4ae824f88c5e-1481889370837" CommentaryRef="M_F_c1953f63-b518-4995-910f-4ae824f88c5e">, bridleways and restricted byways</Substitution>.261Where it appears to a local authorityor a strategic highways company that there is need for a footpath bridleway or restricted byway over land in their area and they are satisfied that, having regard to—athe extent to which the path or way would add to the convenience or enjoyment of a substantial section of the public, or to the convenience of persons resident in the area, andbthe effect which the creation of the path or way would have on the rights of persons interested in the land, account being taken of the provisions as to compensation contained in section 28 below,it is expedient that the path or way should be created, the authorityor company may by order made by themor it and submitted to and confirmed by the Secretary of State, or confirmed by themor it as an unopposed order, create a footpath bridleway or restricted byway over the land.An order under this section is referred to in this Act as a “public path creation order”; and for the purposes of this section “local authority” has the same meaning as in section 25 above.2Where it appears to the Secretary of State in a particular case that there is need for a footpath bridleway or restricted byway as mentioned in subsection (1) above, and he is satisfied as mentioned in that subsection, he may, after consultation with each body which is a local authority for the purposes of this section in relation to the land concerned, make a public path creation order creating the footpath bridleway or restricted byway.3A local authorityand a strategic highways company shall, before exercising any power under this section, consult any ... local authority or authorities in whose area the land concerned is situated.3AThe considerations to which—athe Secretary of State is to have regard in determining whether or not to confirm or make a public path creation order, andba local authorityand a strategic highways company are to have regard in determining whether or not to confirm such an order as an unopposed order,include any material provision of a rights of way improvement plan prepared by any local highway authority whose area includes land over which the proposed footpath bridleway or restricted byway would be created.4A right of way created by a public path creation order may be either unconditional or subject to such limitations or conditions as may be specified in the order.5A public path creation order shall be in such form as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State, and shall contain a map, on such scale as may be so prescribed, defining the land over which a footpath bridleway or restricted byway is thereby created.6Schedule 6 to this Act shall have effect as to the making, confirmation, validity and date of operation of public path creation orders.Ss. 26-29 extended by Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act 1988 (c. 4, SIF 81:1), ss. 2(5)(6), 23(2), 27(2), Sch. 3 para. 47(1)Ss. 25-29 extended (with modifications) (19.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, ss. 70, 125(2), Sch. 9 para. 11(a) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7).S. 26: functions of local authority not to be responsibility of an executive of the authority (E.) (16.11.2000) by virtue of S.I. 2000/2853, reg. 2(1), Sch. 1Ss. 25-28 applied (2.5.2006 for E. and 11.5.2006 for W.) by The Restricted Byways (Application and Consequential Amendment of Provisions) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1177), regs. 1(2)(4), 2, Sch. Pt. I; S.I. 2006/1172, art. 2; S.I. 2006/1279, art. 2S. 26(2) amended (30.1.2001) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 58(1), 103(2)S. 26(3A) inserted (12.2.2003 for E. and 1.4.2004 for W.) by 2000 c. 37, s. 57, Sch. 6 Pt. I para. 1; S.I. 2003/272, art. 2(a)(b); S.I 2004/315, {art. 2(c)}; S.I. 2006/3257, art. 2(a)(i)Words in s. 26(1) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 18(2)(a); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 26(1) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 18(2)(b); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 26(1) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 18(2)(c); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 26(3) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 18(3)(a); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Word in s. 26(3) omitted (5.3.2015) by virtue of Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 18(3)(b); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 26(3A)(b) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 18(4); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 26 sidenote substituted (2.5.2006 for E. and 11.5.2006 for W.) by The Restricted Byways (Application and Consequential Amendment of Provisions) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1177), regs. 1(2)(4), 2, Sch. Pt. 1; S.I. 2006/1172, art. 2(a)-(d) (with art. 3); S.I. 2006/1279, art. 2(a)-(d) (with art. 3)Words in s. 26(1)(2)(3A)(5) substituted (2.5.2006 for E. and 11.5.2006 for W.) by The Restricted Byways (Application and Consequential Amendment of Provisions) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1177), regs. 1(2)(4), 2, Sch. Pt. 1; S.I. 2006/1172, art. 2(a)-(d) (with art. 3); S.I. 2006/1279, art. 2(a)-(d) (with art. 3)S. 26(1) functions exercisable concurrently (1.4.2018) by The Sub-national Transport Body (Transport for the North) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/103), regs. 1(2), 9(3), 11(d)S. 26(2)(3)(3A) modified (1.4.2018) by The Sub-national Transport Body (Transport for the North) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/103), regs. 1(2), 12(c)(ii)