What does 'Path (um)' mean?

[Deflagration]

I’ve noticed this on a number of UK gov’t maps.

Eg. http://www.lewes.gov.uk/Files/plan_CAA_Firle_map.pdf (caution pdf)

In fact I know that these are ‘Public Footpaths’ or just rights of way.

But I am curious to the actual (um) bit.

Why is it ‘Path (um)’ not just ‘Path’?

[Sofis]

“Unmaintained”, maybe?

[Meurglys]

I believe it’s short for ‘UnMarked’, meaning it’s there, but not specifically signposted.

[Colophon]

It stands for “unmade”, meaning that the path is not surfaced. It doesn’t mean that it is not marked.

Here is a list of OS map abbreviations.

[Meurglys]

Fair enough; thanks for the correction.

[Deflagration]

Thanks guys.

Unmade. Cool.

[Colophon]

Here is the relevant bit from the OS specs:

Paths
For Ordnance Survey purposes, a path is defined as any established way other than a road or track. They can be considered as either ‘made’ or ‘unmade’.

Made paths
Made paths are those whose surface is paved or metalled. Only major paths are shown in parks, public gardens, cemeteries and so on. Made paths are described by the annotation Path, except in built-up areas, where the description will not normally be recorded, or if the path has a distinctive name, such as Simmons Walk.

Unmade paths
Unmade paths are those that are neither paved nor metalled. An unmade path is included in the Topography Layer when its entire length is evident on the ground and it starts at a road, track or path and finishes at a similar feature or a specific place of interest. Unmade paths are described by the annotation Path (um) in urban and rural areas.

(from here (PDF))