The claim that the route previously relied on seasonal access to private land is not directly corroborated by multiple independent sources. While the general history of the route is discussed, this specific detail is not repeated across the provided evidence.

The evidence suggests that upgrades and designation as a National Trail involved local authorities and Natural England, but none of the provided sources explicitly detail 'legal work' establishing it as an official right of way through multiple independent confirmations.

One web search result mentions new signs bearing the 'AW monogram' as part of the National Trail preparations, linking the initials to Wainwright. This is the strongest evidence, but it is not corroborated by a second independent source.