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Public Rights of Way

Telephone: 0845 603 7631

Using Public Rights of Way

24 April 2012

Public Rights of Way are protected and maintained in order to ensure that the general public has access to the countryside. However, there is also a responsibility on the part of the user to ensure that they do so safely and responsibly.
 
Although the right of way itself is protected and accessible to all, in most cases the surrounding land will be privately owned, and often working farmland. Therefore it is important to stick to the right of way, which will be clearly marked. Detailed information about rights of way can be found on the Ramblers Association website. 

Types of Right of Way

There are four types of right of way, known collectively as highways, which have different access rights. Different coloured symbols are used to differentiate between the different types of highway
 

Black-yellow-Arrow[1].jpgFootpaths

A footpath is a highway over which the public has a right of way on foot only. A footpath should be at least 1 metre wide across a field where crops are growing, and 1.5 metres wide where it passes around the edge of a field.

Footpaths are marked by a yellow arrow with a white surround.
 

Blue-Arrow[1].jpgBridleways

A bridleway is a highway over which the public has a right of way on foot, horseback and on all types of bicycle. There may also be a right to drive animals along a bridleway, and this will be made clear within the Definitive Statement.
Bridleways are marked by a blue arrow with a white surround.
 

Red-Arrow[1].jpgByways

A byway open to all traffic (BOAT) is a highway over which the public is entitled to travel on foot, horseback or pedal cycle and by motorised vehicle of all kinds, including horse-drawn vehicles. Although legally open to all vehicles, a BOAT is used mainly by the public for walking or riding. Most byways do not have a sealed surface and may not be suitable for certain vehicles.
Byways are marked by a red arrow with a white surround.


restrictedbyway.jpgRestricted Byway

A restricted byway allows right of way on foot, on horseback or leading a horse, riding a bicycle or using any other vehicle that is not mechanically propelled.
Restricted byways are marked by a purple arrow with a white surround. 
 
On all public rights of way you may: 
  • Take a pram, pushchair or wheelchair, but you may encounter stiles on footpaths
  • Take a dog under close control, preferably on a lead. Provision does not need to be made for dogs at a stile
  • Take a short alternative route around an illegal obstruction
  • Move an illegal obstruction sufficiently to get past.
     

Illegal Obstructions

It is illegal to obstruct a public right of way. Landowners may apply to temporarily or permanently alter a PRoW, or even remove a PRoW, but they are not allowed to simply block or interfere with a route. Illegally obstructing a route is a criminal offence. Essex County Council takes the issue of illegal obstruction seriously, and the Public Rights of Way Concordat outlines the council’s policy and procedure. If you encounter an illegal obstruction on a public right of way, you should report it.
 

Traffic Regulation Orders

Traffic Regulation Orders allow for the restriction, regulation and rerouting of traffic over any road. For the purposes of the order, the word ‘road’ may include all forms of public right of way. A Traffic Regulation Order can be permanent, temporary or experimental
A regularly updated list of Traffic Regulation Orders currently in place within Essex can be viewed online.
 

Keeping to the Countryside Code

All users of public rights of way are responsible for their own safety and must abide by the Countryside Code. A detailed description of the code is available on the Natural England website. There are five sections dedicated to helping members of the public respect, protect and enjoy the countryside.
 
More information is contained in the Guide to Public Rights of Way in Essex.
 

Access Essex Newsletter

The Access Essex Newsletter is published quarterly by the Public Rights of Way team, and provides updates and information for anyone with an interest in Public Rights of Way within the county. Each edition provides updates from local groups, information about improvement programmes, and an events diary. Issues will be archived online.

 

Volunteering

The network of public rights of way within Essex is maintained and improved with the invaluable assistance of local volunteer groups. Find out more about Volunteering and the Parish Paths Partnership (P3).

 

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