Highways (rights of way)
The following source list was originally available only on paper in one of the West Yorkshire Archive Service offices. It may have been compiled many years ago and could be out of date. It was designed to act as a signpost to records of interest on a particular historical subject, but may relate only to one West Yorkshire district, or be an incomplete list of sources available.
Evidence of easements and rights of way can be found in a number of sources including:
- Original deeds: these can be with the bank or building society who loaned the money to purchase the land, the conveyancing solicitor who was involved with the transaction, or the owner (or family of the owner).
- Memorial deeds: these are summaries of the information contained on an original deed. Memorials of deeds relating to land in the West Riding were registered at the West Riding Registry of Deeds between 1704 and 1970.
- 1932 Rights of Way Act (ref. WRD1 A114): Register of rights of way and ways used by the public.
- Definitive Rights of Way: see Footpaths
- Permissive Footpaths (WYD1 ref: A142): an attempt in 1980s to grant rights of way at certain times of the year to members of the public on some footpaths. These agreements were between farmers/ local land owners and the county council.
- Quarter Session order book (ref. QD1/708): includes entries concerning highways c1637-c1880
For local authority contacts see:
- Wakefield Metropolitan District Council Highways Department, PO Box 92, Newton Bar, Wakefield WF1 1XS. Tel: 0845 8 506 5
- Calderdale Council Rights of Way Team, Northgate House, Northgate, Halifax HX1 1UN. Tel: (01422) 392178
- Kirklees Council Rights of Way, Ross Street Care, Flint Street, Fartown, Huddersfield, HD1 6LG. Tel: 0800 731 8765
- Leeds City Council Countryside and Access Services, Farnley Hall, Hall Lane, Leeds LS12 5HA. Tel: 0113 395 7400
- City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council Rights of Way Department, 5th Floor North, Jacob's Well, Bradford BD1 5RW. Tel: 01274 588616
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