Countryside route near River Nene could change under new public footpath order
A section of countryside footpath between villages north of Northampton could be diverted under a new public rights of way order.
The proposal, made by West Northamptonshire Council, would alter parts of Public Footpath CC4 in the parish of Boughton and Public Footpath CE17 in Church with Chapel Brampton.
The order was made on March 3, 2026 under Section 119 of the Highways Act 1980. It would move part of the existing route which currently runs northwards across fields before continuing into Church with Chapel Brampton.
At present, the path runs for around 88 metres north from its starting point before turning north-north-east for a further 90 metres to the parish boundary. It then continues for about 408 metres through Church with Chapel Brampton to meet another footpath.
Under the proposed changes, the new route would instead begin at a junction with Footpath CC5 and head west-north-west for around 81 metres before crossing the parish boundary.
It would then continue for about 50 metres to a crossing point on the River Nene, before heading north for roughly 468 metres to rejoin the existing path network at the same end point.
The proposed replacement route would have a width of 1.8 metres.
Council officials say copies of the order and the map showing both the current and proposed routes are available to download from the West Northamptonshire Council website. They can also be viewed free of charge at the council’s One Stop Shop at One Angel Square in Northampton during normal weekday opening hours.
Anyone wishing to comment on the proposal must submit representations or objections in writing to the council’s definitive map team.
The deadline for responses is April 9, 2026.
If no objections are received, the council may confirm the order itself. However, if objections are made and not withdrawn, the order could be referred to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for a final decision.