Overview
Path problems are generally the responsibility of the Local Authority in which the path is situated. You can report problems to their Public Rights of Way (PROW) Department and most Local Authorities have contact details on their website. Ramblers now provide a tool to help you identify the correct Local Authority, and obtain their contact details, see below.
If possible, it is helpful to give them a path number. Path numbers can be found nationally on https://www.rowmaps.com/ where you can scroll down the page and type in a place name. This will take you to a map selector where you can choose Ordnance Survey Map (for instance) to zoom in on. Click on any path to be given its path number.
An Ordnance Survey grid reference or a What3Words address is also helpful to locate the problem more precisely.
BathNES Local Authority
Path problems in the Bath and North East Somerset area can be reported to Bath and North East Somerset Council PROW Team via their on-line reporting form at: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/report-problem-public-right-way. You will be prompted to provide contact details, and information about the nature of the problem and precise location. You can also upload photographs and other image documents.
Within Bath and North East Somerset, you can also obtain path numbers here: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/webforms/maps/
Here you need to zoom in and scroll to the area you want, then, in the left hand panel, choose "Highways and travel", then "Public Rights of Way" and then tick "All". Again, click on any path to be given its path number. The website also shows footpath diversion orders and other changes.
Ramblers
Ramblers provide further general advice about reporting problems on public rights of way, here: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking-hub/dealing-problems-public-paths
In particular, Ramblers maintain a very useful Google Maps tool to identify the correct local authority for each location, and then obtain the correct contact details for their Public Rights of Way (PROW) Department, here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1PS8LID7Y8xeclsW_6gLZWLSc-s_sd9k&usp=sharing
What happens next?
Within Bath and North East Somerset, the Officers will investigate a reported problem within a few days but they may not be able to solve it immediately, possibly due to legal issues or practical arrangements that have to be made. In due course they may ask the volunteer groups, including ourselves, to fix the problem or they may employ a contractor to carry out work on their behalf. Sometimes, for minor issues, the Officers may solve the problem themselves by some vegetation cutting on the spot. For these minor issues we can all help by carrying secateurs when we walk.