We have a footpath running around the edge of a school oval on SA Education Dept land. The school is fenced off to the public but the oval is not. Local residents use the oval out of school hours and they also use the footpath day and night to access shops, etc and also walk dogs along it. This has been going on for years. There are no signs prohibiting the public from using the pathway and it is entirely open. However, I know someone who occasional uses the path and she was approached by a teacher and told there was no public access. She wasn't bothered, but it got me thinking about common law issues and public rights of way on the land. I contacted the council who told me to contact the Education Department and they have ignored three of my emails so I'm guessing they just want me to go away.
Do local residents have a public right of way on that land, having used it as a footpath for many years? Should there be signs up informing the public of the path's status?
Thank you
Do local residents have a public right of way on that land, having used it as a footpath for many years? Should there be signs up informing the public of the path's status?
Thank you