Definitive maps make it easier to prove the existence of a public right of way and thus help to protect paths from development or obstruction. Here are some examples of paths in London, which would benefit from the creation of a 'definitive map' showing all of inner London's public paths
Camberwell
In 2007 it had become clear to local residents that their previous unhindered use of a wide passageway between Camberwell Grove and Grove Lane was beginning to be prevented. At one end of the passageway a public house had installed tables and chairs, and the other end was being used as a car park by a firm of estate agents. Use of the passageway became, at times, extremely difficult and dangerous.
Local residents, acting through their local amenity group the Camberwell Society, and with support and advice from the Ramblers, decided to apply to Southwark Council to protect their use of the passageway by formally applying for a modification of the definitive map to record the passageway as a right of way. Southwark replied by saying that the formal procedures for creating and modifying a definitive map were not compulsory for London boroughs, and that the Council had not adopted them, so they could not consider the application.
Further campaigning over the course of two years finally persuaded the Council that it was their duty, as the relevant highway authority, to acknowledge the passageway as a public footpath - which they have now done. However, the Council was not obliged to make this acknowledgement, and has no formal means of recording the right of way. The underlying issue is that there are still no procedures available to the public to require a local authority to consider the status of rights of way, or for these rights to be recorded on a definitive map.
Watch the video about the local campaign in Camberwell here
Greenwich
A path, which has long been used as a convenient off-road short-cut by local residents, has been completely obstructed by a wall. The path can no longer be used. The council say that because they have no record of any public status, they cannot force the wall’s removal. This means that this useful short-cut will be lost forever.
If this had happened in another part of the country, users of the path would have been able to apply for the path to be added to the definitive map. But in Greenwich there is no definitive map therefore the path is likely to be lost forever.
Read an account from a walker who tried to use the path here
Westminster
Reputedly the narrowest footpath in London (15 inches at its narrowest point) Brydges Place near Charing Cross runs between Bedfordbury and St Martins Lane and down to Chandos Place. In 2000, a local resident living next to the path obtained planning permission from Westminster City Council to ‘door’ the passageway to Chandos Place, and now claims it as private property, using it as a parking garage. Yet this path actually appears on a number of maps from the 17th century onwards, with the spur down to Chandos Street since the mid-19th century, and has been well used as a convenient cut through by local residents and workers for many years. A local business man became aware of this when construction of the doors started in 2002 and has, together with a resident (and Ramblers member) and with the support of the Covent Garden Community Association, been pressing the City Council to re-open the path. The Council have said that they are now looking at what action that can be taken to correct this mistake.
If Westminster Council had a definitive map, a strict legal procedure would have needed to occur which would allow for all people to have a say, before the path was ‘doored’ or gated, or stopped up. If the path had been stopped up without this procedure taking place a definitive map would have allowed for the council to order the obstruction to be removed.
Lewisham
A well used path which connects a housing estate and bus 
stops to the railways staions in Catford has been closed under health and safety grounds. Despite having used this path for 20 years plus local residents have been told that they will no longer be able to use the path because it runs thourgh a car park.
If Lewisham Council held a definitive map the residents could submit user evidence to the Council in order to get the path recognised as an official right of way. The Council would then have to consult with local residents if they wanted to shut off the path, as opposed to taking action without gathering opinions.
Also in Lewisham a set of steps going down to the Lethbridge Estate close to Morden Hill have been closed off. This closes off a route which leads to and from the estate.
The steps are in need of repair, and if this path was recorded as a right of way on a definitive map the council would be obliged to repair the path or at least close it with notice to the local residents.
You can read a bloggers account of this path here.
More Information
How definitive maps helped save paths in outer London
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