The unadopted areas of footway in Commercial Road are thought to have their origins in historic shop frontage use of these areas. This practice has long since ceased, and the areas are now virtually indistinguishable from the adjoining sections of adopted footway. Members of the public use both adopted and unadopted sections to pass and repass along Commercial Road, and are unaware of any difference in status. The commercial premises which front onto these areas are also thought to be unaware of their potential liability for them, and a check with Land Registry confirms that none of the private premises have registered title to them.

Given that these areas are used by the public to pass and repass, and as such are almost certainly subject to public rights, it makes sense to formally adopt them as publicly maintainable for the benefit of the public.