Service Description: Public Rights of Way maintain, protect, sign and legally record the public rights of way network made up of public footpaths, bridleways, and byways. Public Rights of Way manages the most concentrated network of public rights of way in the UK. Within 147 square miles there are 520 miles of rights of way which include 326 miles of footpath, 165 miles of bridleways and 29 miles of byways. This equates to 3.5 miles of rights of way per square mile.
Also known as:- Bridleways, Byway, Country Walks, Footpaths (Grassy etc), Horse Riding, Public Access, Rights of Way, Rights of Way Orders, Walking
Answer: During certain seasons a landowner or occupier will have the right to plough over a cross-field public right of way provided the path cannot reasonably be avoided. However there are requirements that they: Make good the surface of the way to not less than the minimum width specified in the Act so as to make it reasonably convenient for the exercise of the public right of way Must indicate the line of the path or way across the field, again to not less than the minimum width, so that it is apparent to members of the public wishing to use it. These requirements must be complete within 14 days of the first disturbance of the path or within 24 hours of a subsequent disturbance for that particular crop. Field edge, or headland, paths must not be ploughed at all. If you find a path that is ploughed or blocked by crops please report it to the Council’s Rights of Way Section on (01983) 821000 or [email protected]