Policy Documents
Motorised Vechicles in the Countryside
The footpaths, bridleways, byways and other minor highways of
Bath & North East Somerset constitute an extremely important
resource for countryside recreation. They have intrinsic value as
well, contributing to the ‘patchwork quilt’ character of the
countryside, with historic interest and often providing a haven for
wildlife.
The following table indicates the extent of this network:
| STATUS OF ROUTE |
LENGTH (km)1 |
| Public Footpath |
730 |
| Public Bridleway |
41 |
| Byway Open to All Traffic |
50 |
| Class 4 & 5 Highways (unsurfaced) |
11 |
As with any other class of user, use by motorised vehicles can
give rise to problems which the Council, as the highway authority,
needs to address by means of effective management. However because
motorised use of rural routes can be such an emotive topic,
provoking strong responses from those affected by such use as well
as from users themselves, a clear management strategy is required
to help the Council carry this out.
The document is primarily aimed at the management of unsealed
carriageways (i.e. those without a tarmac or concrete surface).
Most of these routes are recorded on the Definitive Map and
Statement of Public Rights of Way as Byways Open to All Traffic.
However, it will also be applicable in some circumstances to routes
classified as Class 4 or Class 5 highways in the Section 36(6) List
of Streets and in responding to vehicular use of Public Footpaths
and Public Bridleways.
The objective of this document is to set out a policy that can
be used to ensure aconsistent and fair approach to the management
of these highways.
