As there's a difference of opinions I've started a discussion on the uk mailing list in the hope of achieving some local community consensus.
The messages on the list can be viewed (after a short delay) here: https://lists.openstreetmap.org/pipermail/talk-gb/2020-July/date.html
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Not sure what you're asking re: legality. I assume that CUK's route will be perfectly legal to cycle, but it might create legal issues for OSM if the data source isn't compatible with our licence.
I will repeat the following points which others raised in the previous changeset:
a) Explicit permission does need to be obtained before importing CUK's GPX data into OSM. They would also need to confirm that no other body (eg. Ordnance Survey) holds copyright in that data.
b) It goes against a long-standing convention to map what's on the ground.
c) If it is to be added, this route is not part of the National Cycle Network, so should not be tagged ncn.
On a final note, the real value of the OSM database is the data we collect ourselves. Taking a third party's publicly available gpx file and importing it doesn't really add much.
Kind regards,
Adam

Hi Ryan,
Welcome to osm, we need more local mappers. You might want to look again at the tunnel. A tunnel goes underground, so the canal towpath isn't a tunnel.
Any problems just shout,
Adam

Hi Zamm,
Thanks for contributing to OSM.
I'm sure it is not what you intended but you've removed the school tags from the school grounds and building and turned both of these into residential landuse areas.
Happy to help if needed,
Adam (ACS1986)

Hi Jerry, I've fixed this one but for future reference it's 'Wetherspoon' (without an 'a').
Kind regards,
Adam

It's okay, we just need to be careful when copying data from other sources - if in doubt don't. But please don't let it put you off mapping the areas you know or visit. You can add anything you see or know to exist on the ground. We can also copy and trace from the maps and aerial imagery available as background layers when editing - all of these have been cleared for use.
As I say, if you need any help then feel free to ask.

Hi Paul,

Welcome to OSM. We can't base our information on copyright sources, see: osm.wiki/Copyright#Proprietary_data so unfortunately you will need to delete anything you've added based upon in-copyright OS maps (except from their Open Data maps).
If you have any questions I'm happy to help.
Thanks,
Adam

Hi Pete,

Cycling is prohibited on motorways by default and this is implicit in the OSM tagging, so bicycle=no tags are superfluous on motorways. Similarly, in the UK, cycling is permitted on A-roads roads and, again, this is implicit in the OSM tags so bicycle=yes is usually superfluous..

Happy mapping,

Adam

Hi,
Welcome to OSM.
A cycleway tag implies both pedestrian and cycle access in the UK, so it is an appropriate tag for a path open to both pedestrians and cyclists and there is no need to go retagging these as paths.
The tagging of paths does cause some confusion, because there are two different schemes in use, the 'classic' one (highway=footway, cycleway, bridleway.,.) and the 'alternative' one (highway=path): osm.wiki/United_Kingdom_Tagging_Guidelines#Classic_vs_Alternative_tagging_schemes
Most mappers in the UK use the 'classic' method but you are of course free to use either. If you do use the path method, you do really need to use access tags as well eg. foot=yes, bicycle=yes, horse=no because a simple path tag doesn't provide much access information. In particular a lot of cycle routers won't route users down 'paths' without a bicycle=yes tag.
Hope this helps,
Adam

Hi,
Welcome to OSM. The Walton Summit motorway has been discussed before on the UK mailing list, see https://lists.openstreetmap.org/pipermail/talk-gb/2017-May/020281.html
Though 'Walton Summit Motorway' is a convenient description for road enthusiasts to use to refer to the road, it has never been its proper name and it shouldn't be tagged as such in OSM. We use the loc_name for unofficial colloquial names and this seems the best fit for this scenario. I've change the tags back accordingly.
I'm happy to help if you have any questions or need any help. If you'd like to revisit the discussion about the name of this road, please feel free to join the mailing list and start a new discussion.
KInd regards,
Adam

Hi Ross, welcome to OSM. You've changed a building into a park which seems strange: osm.org/way/238234419
Also, it really helps others if changeset comments are more specific. For example your added som missing houses" comment was good. It's absolutely fine to save your edits and start a new changeset when you want to edit something different.
I'm happy to help of you have any questions.
Happy mapping,
Adam

Sorry, should read "shared_space=yes" not "shared_use=yes"

7.5 years later and I've just noticed and removed the oneway tag on the section of Portway near the cinema! No idea how we'd all missed that for so long...

Hi,
Welcome to OSM. Adding abbreviated names tends to be controversial osm.wiki/Names#Abbreviation_.28don.27t_do_it.29 . In any case, if these are to be included I'd suggest that the short_name tag is more appropriate than alt_name (these aren't alternative names).
Kind regards,
Adam

Hi James,
Thanks for replying so swiftly. If you're happy with the edit that's absolutely fine. Your knowledge of the location is obviously much more recent than mine. Last time I was down Factory Lane there were signs telling you to keep off the pitches!
Rest assured that it's as much your map as it is mine. More importantly it is a collaborative community project and people do query edits others make, with only good intentions. People are currently quite sensitive to park edits by new contributors because people playing the Pokemon Go video game tend to like tagging land as parks because it has some effect in the game. Some have created fictitious parks, others have changed every recreation ground, nature reserve or public green space in an area into a park (at least until they were changed back)!
I'll just make a few points which may or may not be of use to you.
Firstly, The meaning of a tag within OSM doesn't always correcpond with the dictionary, we go by convention. The wiki attempts to document how tags are used in OSM osm.wiki/Main_Page . Whilst there is crossover we use tags such as recreation ground and nature reserve to differentiate such features.
Secondly, one of the fundamental principles of OSM is verifiability. This means that verifiable signed names (where they exist) take precedence over local/colloqial names. These may be additionally tagged using the loc_name tag. Finally, specificity is good. We can happily tag various different smaller features using the correct specific tag for each feature, we do not need to seek an over-arching generalised description for a large area.
If you'd like any help or would like to collaborate on any local mapping project (I'm Preston based too) feel free to get in touch.
All the best,
Adam

Hi,
Welcome to OSM. I take it Pokemon Go is your motivation for adding park areas? Whilst this is welcome, care does need to be taken that the park tag is only used where it is the best tag. For example, I wouldn't go round converting existing recreation ground tags to park tags just to produce an effect in Pokemon Go.
In this case I don't think I'd call this area a park. The playing fields are not a public facility. I think you're right that the old railway corridor and cycle path are part of a nature reserve, but this section should then be tagged as nature reserve not as a park.
The name we tag a feature should be the actual name of the feature as it is signed. I think the name of the nature reserve is Preston Junction Nature Reserve. Could you please tell me your source for the name you have tagged?
I you would like any further help feel free to ask.
Happy Mapping
Adam

Hi Bob,
Thanks for adding so much valuable local information to OSM. One small point... We only add a name tag if something has an actual name. Also, name should never be the only tag for a feature. 'Lock gate' shouldn't be tagged as a name and it needs a tag to sa what it is. It would be correct to tag it waterway=lock_gate and not add a name tag.
Whilst not perfect, the osm wiki osm.wiki is a good way of looking up tags not featured in iD.
Keep up the good work :)
Adam

Hi again Zachary,

Sorry for another message, but you did quite a few different edits in your first day which - though mostly valid and welcome - include a few different errors I've tried to clarify for you

We only add name tags to things which have an actual name so items like this shouldn't have a name tag in OSM. We use other tags to describe things. The two relevant tags for thjis kind of item are information=guidepost and highway=milestone. Knowing this sign, I think information=guidepost is the more appropriate. I've added this tag and deleted the name. The Wiki osm.wiki/Main_Page can help with tag selection, or feel free to ask if you need assistance.
All the best,
Adam

Hi again Zachary,

The houses on Bristow Ave are not part of the park but you were right that a bit was missing. Good spot!

Highway lines represent the centre of the highways. Whilst we always connect highways to each other for routing, we don't usually connect areas like parks to highways because they usually don;t start in the centre of a highway. In this case Haslam Park doesn't start in the middle of Blackpool Road! It starts at the boundary fence and that's where it should be mapped. I've tidied this up for you.

I appreciate there's tons of stuff to learn, if you need a hand I'm a Preston-based mapper who's happy to help.

All the best,

Adam

Hi Zachary,

Welcome to OSM. Just because something is tagged as a wood doesn't mean that it isn't part of a park. The whole Avenham park area is tagged as a park already, the 'wood' tagged sections are just sections of tree cover. By all means adjust these but please don't go retagging them as little mini parks within the main park area.

If you have any questions I'm happy to help.

Kind regards,

Adam