Annotated map reproduced courtesy of Googlemaps.	This route runs from the B1000 (public road), near Tewin 5 restricted byway, generally southwestwards to Herns Lane. At the time of the BHS 2022 Access Survey (23 Dec 22),there were a pair of bollards at the northern end with sufficient space for horses to pass between them, and a gate near the southern end with a space to the side. A horse could pass, but it ought to be widened a little. There were 'public footpath' signs at each end, which match the definitive map status.
Sign at southern end Photo: Phil Wadey, 23 Dec 2022	Gate near southern end, looking NE Photo: Phil Wadey, 23 Dec 2022	Continuing NE Photo: Phil Wadey, 23 Dec 2022	Bollards, approaching B1000 Photo: Phil Wadey, 23 Dec 2022	Sign at northern end Photo: Phil Wadey, 23 Dec 2022
As part of the British Horse Society's work to record paths before Path Extinguishment Day, it was spotted that this route was recorded as a footpath but the order stopping up the old road only stopped up vehicular rights. Accordingly it should be recorded as a bridleway and an application was made in 2015 to record this status.

Legal History 1838: WGC 71 was shown on the Tewin tithe map as not subject to an apportionment. 1 Oct 1976: The former road was stopped up to vehicular traffic by Hatfield Magistrates' Court. 6 Jan 2015: Application to record as part restricted byway and part bridleway. HCC reference W+H/97. 25 May 2024: Approached Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council with a view to a PPCA in lieu of modification order, to speed things up. Application Process Path Application Certificate Direction Inv Report Order Confirmed EC183 6 Jan 2015 WH/97 30 Jun 2015

Definitive Statement (4 Dec 2015) Path: [Welwyn Garden City] 71.  Recorded Status: Footpath.  Definitive Map sheet: 58 Commences from county road (B1000) thence SW along Old Herns to junction with county road (Herns Lane).

© 2024 Patchetts Green Bridleways Trust. File reference: EC183. HCC reference: W+H/97.