...................did footpaths become footways? When and why did manhole covers become ironworks? What was wrong about them? Was there anything wrong with them?
Footways was in use back in the 1980s usually to distinguish between asphalt surfaces and pavements which were paved. Foot paths were a completely different thing specifically being separate from roadways and only accessible on foot. I did a bit of traffic management back in the day and had to learn boring stuff like that
I noticed in Herefordshire they now call 'Cats Ryes' 'Road Studs'. Does anyone call 'pavements' 'sidewalks' in the UK? I've not heard that used there either.