The network of footpaths in our area has benefited enormously thanks to the efforts of Ramblers members and volunteers, both past and present, who have taken the time to report and follow up on problems which they or others have encountered. Ramblers campaign to keep Public Rights of Way open and Ramblers footpath teams are involved in practical work helping to keep the paths walkable. We aim "to have all known public rights of way usable" in our area. If you come across a problem on a path, such as missing signposts, poor way-marking, stiles and bridges which are either missing or in bad repair, paths overgrown or blocked with barbed wire, or rights of way in fields obstructed by ploughing or crops, please make sure to report it.

Who can report a footpath problem? Anyone can report a footpath issue - it doesn’t have to be the walk leader and it doesn’t have to be an issue you’ve spotted on one of our walks. We all benefit if issues are fixed promptly, so please do report if you spot a problem!

What information is needed? All you need to do when you spot an issue when you’re out walking is to take a photo of the problem and make a note of your location. You can do this by taking a screen shot of either (or all) of the following:

• The OS map where the problem is;

• The What3Words location.

• You can use the OS Locate app for the grid reference.

Download OS Locate app for Apple phones here.

Download OS Locate app for Android phones here.

It may be worth downloading one or both of these apps so you can capture the location on your phone at any issues you encounter. You can either report the issue yourself direct to the relevant Local Authority or via our Footpath Officer.

Reporting Footpath Issues to the Local Authority. If the problem’s in the Sheffield City Council area, you can just email prow@sheffield.gov.uk Ensure you provide photos and the exact location and description of the problem. If the problem’s in Derbyshire, you can use this link which is very simple to use and you can even mark on the interactive map where the problem is. Click here and scroll down to the purple box marked “Make an enquiry about a promoted route or report a problem.” This takes you to a login page, but you can continue without an account to report the issue.

If the problem’s in the Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council Area, they have an online form that you can fill in. There’s just a box to complete with the details of the problem, where it is and what you want the Council to do.

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council also have an online form that you fill in with the details. here’s the link.

It will probably be easier and quicker to use Peak and Northern Footpath Society’s Path Checker App. It's available here.

Reporting Footpath Issues via S40s. You can report any issues you spot to our Footpath Officer, Lucia Contrino, who will raise the issue with the relevant Local Authority on your behalf. Email the photos to sheffield40swg@gmail.com FAO Lucia If the walk leader is raising the issue they can include it in their walk report.

You can volunteer to become involved with footpath work in a variety of ways. Why not become a Footpath Warden? Please take action! If you want to know more please email us at sheffield40swg@gmail.com

Updated 27 February 2024