Public rights of way

A public right of way is a route which the public has a legal right to use. The land over which the right of way runs is usually private land, but the surface of the path is our responsibility. The Countryside Service manages the 145 miles of public rights of way in the Borough. Please tell us about any problems that you find.

 

 

Footpaths can be used by people on foot. There is no right to ride a bicycle or lead a horse, but a pushchair may be used.

 

 

Bridleways can be used for walking, riding, leading a horse or pedal cycling. Cyclists must give way to pedestrians and riders. Horse drawn vehicles are not allowed.

 

 

Byways open to all traffic can be used by vehicular and all other kinds of traffic but are used by the public mainly for walking, riding horses or cycling. Vehicles:

 

 

Restricted Byways 

 

Restricted byways may be used by people on foot, on horseback, leading a horse, horse drawn vehicle or bicycle. It is an offence to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle on a Restricted Byway without the legal right to do so.

 

 

Green lane is a term used to describe an un-surfaced track, usually bounded by hedges and often established a long time ago. The term has no legal meaning and if there is a public right of way along the track, it will be classified as one of the above headings.

 

 

Permitted Paths are not highways but are routes that landowners allow the public to use, sometimes for a fixed period of time. They can be closed at any time, but often form valuable links to the path network. We encourage these and can provide advice and signs to those wishing to establish such paths.