Demarcation of foot paths and cart tracks

When you survey a village field, paths used by people, cattle, and carts must be marked clearly on the ground and in the FMB. Wrong width or wrong type (footpath vs cart track) creates disputes later. Use these standard field rules unless a competent order or older map shows a different notified width.

1. What you are demarcating

Type	Typical use	Default max width
Footpath	Access for farmers, labour, and cattle on foot	4 feet (about 1.22 m)
Cart track	Access for carts / light vehicle traffic	10 feet (about 3.05 m)

Always name the feature in the field book as footpath or cart track — do not leave it as a vague “path”.

2. Footpaths — field rules

1. Maximum width: 4 feet, unless a higher width is already fixed in older records or by order.
2. Path between two fields: each adjoining owner leaves 2 feet (half the width) from their side.
3. Path wholly inside one field: that owner provides the full 4 feet.
4. Plant or fix marks so the path is recoverable later; note offsets from the G-line / chain line as for any bend.

3. Cart tracks — field rules

1. Maximum width: 10 feet by standard practice for demarcation.
2. Track wholly inside one field: full 10 feet from that field.
3. Track between different owners: each side leaves 5 feet.
4. Do not treat a cart track as a footpath in the sketch — wrong type affects area and enjoyment.

4. What to write in survey records

• Type: “Footpath” or “Cart track” (not “road” unless it is a notified road).
• Width: measured width on ground; if old documents omit width, apply the defaults above and note “standard width adopted”.
• Who bears the width: one field or split between two (2+2 or 5+5).
• Continuity: where the path enters/leaves the survey field (junction stones or chainage + offset).

5. Field checklist

1. Walk the path with both adjoining parties if possible.
2. Decide type from use and existing maps — not from one party’s wish alone.
3. Measure width at representative places; record the adopted width.
4. Show the path on the sketch with the correct symbol / note.
5. Enter chainage and offset of bends in the FMB like any other boundary feature.

Related tools: FMB bends distance calculator · Links / feet converter