Report Footpath Problems

How to report Footpath Problems - "Rights of Way"

A footpath should be easy to use. It needs to be:

• signposted or way marked where they leave the road  and to the extent necessary to allow users to follow the path;
• free from unlawful obstructions and other interference, including overhanging vegetation, of the public’s right of passage;
• to a standard necessary to enable the public to use the way without undue inconvenience ie surface and lawful barriers such as stiles, gates, etc in good repair.

Please report unsafe stiles, overgrown or blocked paths and damaged or missing signposts or waymarkers to help all our walkers.

You can report a rural footpath problem to Rochdale Council by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling the Environmental Management team at 0300 303 8884.  Please provide a detailed description of the Issue and the exact location to help them address the problem, which could include overgrown vegetation, blocked paths, or damaged stiles and signposts. 

The Peak and Northern Footpath Society also have a website and app to report footpath problems which is useful for paths not in the Rochdale Council area. It also allows users to monitor progress in remedying problems that have been reported. http://www.peakandnorthern.org.uk/pathcheckers/

Alsoi there is a "Path Checker" qapp that can be downloaded, see https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.colton.path_checker

Alternatively, fill in the contact form on our website and we will take it forward ourselves.