Public Rights of Way
A Brief Guide
Public Footpath: You may walk on a footpath and
you are also entitled to use it with a pram, pushchair or
wheelchair although many paths, particularly rural ones, are not
suitable for such use. You have no right to ride a cycle or horse
on a footpath without the landowners consent – you will be
committing a trespass if you do. It is a criminal offence to drive
a mechanically propelled vehicle along a footpath without lawful
authority.
Public Bridleway: You may ride or lead a horse, or ride a
bicycle along a bridleway, you may also walk along a
bridleway. Cyclists should give way to pedestrians and
riders. It is a criminal offence to drive a mechanically propelled
vehicle along a bridleway without lawful authority. There is also
no right to drive a horse-drawn vehicle, e.g. a horse and
carriage.
Byway Open to All Traffic: This is a highway that is used
by the public mainly for walking, riding horses or cycling, but
over which there is also a right to use any kind of wheeled vehicle
- whether it is a horse-drawn vehicle or motor vehicle. Motor
vehicles should comply with all driving regulations as for ordinary
road traffic. They must be taxed, insured and roadworthy and the
drivers must have an appropriate drivers licence.
Restricted Byway: This is a highway that may be
used by all traffic except mechanically propelled
vehicles (motor vehicles). Horse drawn vehicles may use such
routes. Currently there is only one restricted byway in the
area at Haycombe Lane, Englishcombe.
Permissive Paths: You may also come across other routes
where the landowner has allowed the public to use a route. There is
no right to use such paths and the landowner may impose various
conditions on how the path is used and withdraw the permission at
any time. Such paths may be provided following an agreement between
the Council and the landowner or as part of a Countryside
Stewardship Agreement administered by the Rural Development Service
of the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs [see
http://countrywalks.defra.gov.uk/
for more details]. Please follow any rules / conditions that
may be given on site.
The Countryside Code gives sensible advice to all users of the
countryside. Further information is available at
countryside code (external link opens a new window)
This network provides a vast range of opportunities to explore
the great outdoors and is also a vital part of the transport
infrastructure, helping to reduce the use of private cars. The
easiest way to find out where Public rights of Way are is to get
the Ordnance Survey Explorer series maps of the area.
|
Title |
Map Number |
|
Bristol & Bath |
155 |
|
Bristol West & Portishead |
154 |
|
Cheddar Gorge |
141 |
| Chippenham & Bradford on Avon |
156 |
|
Shepton Mallet |
142 |
|
|
These are ideal for walking, cycling and riding in the
countryside. The maps are sold at many bookshops and newsagents.
For more information see the OS website at http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/
The easiest way to find out where Public rights of Way are is to
get the Ordnance Survey Explorer series maps of the
area. |
|
Ordnance Survey Maps |
|
|
|
|
Public Rights of Way are recorded on the Definitive Map and
Statement (DMS). If a path is shown on the DMS then that is legally
conclusive evidence of the public’s rights over the path. It is
possible to modify the DMS where errors are proved; for instance if
a path has been missed off the DMS or one put on by mistake. It is
also possible to divert or extinguish existing paths or create new
ones. Go to
The Definitive Map and Statement for more information. |
|
The Council has a duty to maintain public rights of way in a
reasonable condition. The standard to which a route is maintained
will vary according to its location and the legitimate use that is
likely to be made of it. It can carry out works to improve paths
where appropriate. It also has a duty to deal with obstructions and
other problems which may prevent the public from using a public
right of way, for instance a broken stile, locked gate or a crop
planted over the path. The fundamental principle is that the
Council is responsible for the surface of the path and the owner /
occupier of land to either side must not block the route. The
council has an enforcement policy for dealing with problems that
occur. More information on managing the path network on a day to
day basis can be found at
Management, Maintenance and Dealing with Problems
Using the Public Rights of Way Network is the best way of
exploring the wider countryside. It is also a healthy and
sustainable way of getting about and the Council seeks to encourage
more people to use it. For information on opportunities and ideas
about possible routes please look at Opportunities
to Explore the Countryside and Access Land.
We hope that this website is useful and interesting. If you have
any suggestions as to how it can be improved or if you have any
questions about Public Rights of Way then please don’t hesitate to
contact us using the contact details.
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