Extinguishment of Public Right of Way

Where a public right of way is no longer valid, Longford County Council may extinguish the right of way. For this, the Council must publish the proposal in a local newspaper setting out:

• the public right of way to be extinguished
• the right of the public to inspect the relevant map during a period not less than a month and
• the right to object to the proposal before a specified date.

The Council must also affix a notice of the proposed extinguishment in a prominent position at each end of the public right of way to be extinguished and leave it in position for not less than 14 days.

Once a public right of way has been extinguished, the public no longer has a right to use the road. Longford County Council, as the roads authority, would be no longer responsible for maintaining the road.

The Council must consider any objections or representations made to it and not withdrawn.

The above powers are set out in the Roads Act, 1993.