Our club’s Rights of Way Officer works closely with councils to flag up issues which impact on Public Rights of Way (PROW) and the right to walk.
Examples of Infringements
- Broken or rotten stiles which in some cases can be dangerous.
- Lack of waymarks and fingerposts.
- Overgrown vegetation.
- Footpaths on the edge of a field must not be ploughed, but they can be ploughed if they cross fields. However, a minimum width of 1 metre must be made available within 14 days of ploughing.
- Misleading signs cannot be put up to prevent or discourage people from using a public right of way.
- It is an offence under the Highways Act 1980 to put up electric fences or exposed barbed wire that prevents or obstructs a public right of way.
- Harassing, intimidating (eg by placing an aggressive dog on public right of way) or preventing members of the public from using a public right of way.
Please provide the following to the Club’s Rights of Way Officer
- Brief description of problem
- Photo of problem – useful but not essential
- Grid Reference. Preferably ten figure GPS measurement.
- If you are providing a six figure measurement, as these are less accurate, please mark an OS map with a cross highlighting the obstruction, take a photo and forward it to the Rights of Way Officer. If a photo cannot be taken please provide an accurate description of the location.
Do’s and Don’ts
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- Do not disturb or harm any wildlife found on a public right of way.
- Do not drop or leave litter on a public right of way.
- You should not trespass on land that neighbours the right of way.
- Do follow the Countryside Code.
Anything Else?
Confirmation that a PROW exists? PROW are continually being amended and changed. OS on-line mapping is as up-to-date as you can get without referring to the Definitive Map and relatively inexpensive too. If in doubt about a PROW please contact our Rights of Way Officer.
Paths in regular use over 20 years or more and not designated as PROW? Contact our Rights of Way Officer.
