Public access and safety

Use this page to get information and advice on how to stay safe on land with public access. This page will also provide advice to farmers and landowners on how to keep their land safe.

Advice on what to do when approaching cattle

The Ramblers local walking group offer helpful advice on what to do when you encounter cattle while using a public right of way.

You can find further information by reading The Countryside Code.

Top tips when approaching cattle

If you approach cattle you should:

• look out for any animals and watch how they are behaving, particularly bulls or cows with calves 
• avoid getting between cows and their calves 
• move quickly and quietly around the herd
• be prepared for cattle to react to your presence, especially if you have a dog with you
• keep your dog close, on a short lead and under control
• close gates behind you 
• report any frightening incidents or attacks to the landowner, B&NES' Public Rights of Way Team, the Health and Safety Executive and also the police if it's of a serious nature
• keep The Ramblers informed of any problems you experience

If you approach cattle,  do not:

• hang onto your dog if you are threatened by cattle. Let it go as the cattle will chase the dog and not you
• put yourself at risk by walking close to cattle 
• panic or run. Most cattle will stop before they reach you, if they follow just walk on quietly

Safely using public rights of way

Expand the following headings for more information:

Vehicles, cyclists, wheelers, and horse riders

Wheelchair and pushchair users

Wheelchairs and pushchairs are allowed on a public right of way if it is practical to do so.

Cyclists

Please note, there is no right to cycle along public footpaths, and cyclists must give way to walkers and horse riders.

When using public rights of way, cyclists may use:

• bridleways
• cycle tracks
• restricted byways
• byways open to all traffic

When cycling on footpaths and pavements please be aware that:

• riding on a footpath is not an offense, but it may be a trespass against the landowner
• it is an offense to ride on a pavement beside a carriageway and where a traffic regulation order or a bylaw prohibits cycling.

Horse riders and horse-drawn carriages

Horse riding is not prohibited by a traffic regulation order or a bylaw, but it may be a trespass against the owner of the land. You can ride a horse on bridleways, restricted byways, byways open to all traffic, permissive bridleways, and toll bridleways.

Driving a horse-drawn carriage is allowed only on restricted byways and byways open to all traffic.

Drivers of 4X4s and motorbikes

4x4s and motorbikes are allowed on byways open to all traffic. Traffic legislation that applies to using a vehicle on a public road equally applies to the use of vehicles on public rights of way.

Report anti-social behaviour

If you come across anti social behaviour on a public right of way, please contact:

• the police if you feel threatened or the behaviour could be breaking the law
• Council Connect if it affects your local area.

Report litter and fly-tipping

We are responsible for clearing fly-tipped waste on a highway. If you find evidence of fly-tipping on a public right of way or on a highway, please report it.

If you encounter a blocked entry

If a public right of way is blocked, you may remove the obstruction if it's safe to do so, otherwise you may take a short detour around, but be careful not to trespass. 

If it's not safe or possible to remove the obstruction, or if someone tries to stop you from using a public right of way, you can report a problem with a path or public right of way.

WarningIf you are faced with an obstruction, please avoid any confrontation and use a map to check you are using the correct route before reporting the issue.