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For a UK footpath what is the difference between:

  • foot = "designated" and
  • designation = "public_footpath"

Do I need both tags?

asked 31 Aug '11, 16:52

John%20and%20Felicity's gravatar image

John and Fel...
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edited 31 Aug '11, 21:06

LM_1's gravatar image

LM_1
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designation=public_footpath means "the official status of this way is a 'public footpath' right of way". It's a good tag to use to record that information.

foot=designated is mostly used in countries where there's a difference between "a path you can walk on" and "a path expressly designated for walkers". This is not a concept that maps well to UK rights-of-way legislation.

For public footpaths in the UK, I would recommend using highway=footway, designation=public_footpath.

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answered 01 Sep '11, 12:32

Richard's gravatar image

Richard ♦
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Just to add to that - for a signed public footpath in England and Wales, in addition to "highway=footway, designation=public_footpath" I'd also add "foot=yes" just to make it absolutely clear what the actual access rules are.

Scotland, by the way, doesn't have the same concept of "public footpaths" - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_to_roam.

(01 Sep '11, 22:52) SomeoneElse ♦
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question asked: 31 Aug '11, 16:52

question was seen: 6,388 times

last updated: 01 Sep '11, 22:52

NOTICE: help.openstreetmap.org is no longer in use from 1st March 2024. Please use the OpenStreetMap Community Forum