Ramblers’ Pathwatch app includes OS 1:50k Landranger & 1:25k Explorer maps

Pathwatch – report path features and problems

Ramblers Assn Pathwatch app includes 1:50 Landranger & 1:25k Explorer OS maps

Found a problem on your walk? Let us know!

https://www.ramblers.org.uk/advice/pathwatch-report-path-features-and-problems.aspx
Whether it’s locked gates, rampant overgrowth or missing signs, occasionally we find our paths blocked or in need of care. Whatever the issue, we want to know about it! As Britain’s walking charity, we’re here to help.
Report path problems through Pathwatch and for England and Wales we’ll alert the local highway authority. Where possible, we’ll also work with them to fix the problem. In Scotland, Pathwatch is still in a pilot stage, so we’re gathering information to build up a picture of walkers’ experiences north of the border by monitoring reports we receive. Where appropriate we’ll share these with access authorities or landowners to try and resolve issues.
Remember Pathwatch isn’t just for reporting problems. You can also tell us about great things that you find on walks too – such as interesting flora and fauna or an impressive view.
By reporting problems and celebrating the great things you discover, you are not only doing your bit to look after paths, but helping us celebrate the best of British walking and find long term solutions to protecting paths and access for years to come.
There are two ways you can report problems:

1. The Pathwatch app

We’ve built an entire app that allows you to report features on the go – straight from your pocket.
Using the app you can report positive and negative features, send us photos and even share your discoveries via social media. Using GPS and your phone signal, the app can locate you on OS maps and will allow you report what you’ve found with the press of a few buttons.
The app also works offline and allows you to download OS grid square maps for your walks in England and Wales.

Get started with the app on Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.esdm.bpw
or iOS today:
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/the-ramblers-big-pathwatch/id999463505

2. Pathwatch online

You can report features directly through the online version of the app.
It’s slightly different to the app but still gets us all the information we (and local authorities) need. It also syncs up with the features you record on the app, so you can view all your reported features. Online, you can also report features anonymously and won’t need to register or login.
Just like the app, you can scroll around Britain on OS Map data to find the location of the feature you’re reporting.
https://www.ramblers.org.uk/get-involved/big-pathwatch.aspx

How path maintenance and access works

In England and Wales it’s the responsibility of local councils to make sure paths and access land are open and easy for walkers to use. The body responsible for maintaining public rights of way and keeping them free from obstruction is called the Highway Authority. In practice, this is the county council or unitary authority. That’s why we let them know what you send us through Pathwatch – so we can work together to resolve issues.

In Scotland, the  legal situation is  different, as walkers enjoy a right to roam on most land. While Pathwatch was designed for the context of walking in England and Wales, we are pleased that it can now be used in Scotland too. The project is currently in the pilot stage in Scotland so we can gather information about the experiences of walkers north of the border. We’ll collect all the information you report and pass problems on to access authorities or landowners where possible to help get them resolved.

What do the Ramblers do?

On average we solve over 600 path problems each year in England and Wales. Look at our map of successes to see where we’ve unblocked, saved and even created paths.

We work directly with local councils to keep the countryside open to all. Our volunteer path teams cut back overgrowth, insert new waymarks and signposts, replace stiles with gates and even repair bridges. Why not join them?

Any queries?

If you’ve got any queries or can’t report path features with the options above, let us know via pathwatch@ramblers.zendesk.com or give us a call on 0203 961 3130  or for Scottish queries call 020 3961 3270.

If you are unable to use either the app or the dedicated web pages to report a path problem, please take a note of where the path issue is when you are on your walk and pass this information to a group member who is able to submit on your behalf, or contact us using the details above.

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