Okay method to adopt following footpath (5,2,3)
I believe the answer is:
right of way
'footpath' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'okay method to adopt' is the wordplay.
'okay' becomes 'right'.
'method' becomes 'way' (way of doing something).
'to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'adopt' becomes 'of' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'way' put after 'of' is 'ofway'.
'right'+'ofway'='RIGHT-OF-WAY'
'following' is the link.
(Other definitions for right of way that I've seen before include "Legal thoroughfare" , "where they may walk free" , "Designated track" , "footpath" .)