The council own the footpath and may give permission for you to drive over it only if you have properly applied for a dropped kerb and it has been installed.
Otherwise it is an offence to drive over a footpath, even to access your own property.
Been given the right to drive over it does not constitute a legal right of way.
Footpaths (along with bridleways and other categories of road) are all part of the public highway. The council maintains them.
If one has passed/repassed a motor vehicle over a footpath or bridleway for more than 20 years without permission, one may acquire a right of way by prescription.