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Rights of Way online map

Online Map of Rights of Way

How many people use an online map on their phone when walking or cycling? We are lucky to live in a country where there are so many established footpaths and cycle paths with more adding to the network every year. Check all the local footpaths at Gloucestershire Highways

All the information below can be found at https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/highways/public-rights-of-way/

What is a public right of way?

Gloucestershire Public rights of way are open to everyone at any time and give you the right to walk, ride a horse or cycle along certain routes. Some rights of way are open to vehicles.

You can use the Public Rights of Way (PRoW) form to report a problem with:

  • a sign
  • an animal
  • an obstruction
  • overgrown vegetation
  • the misuse of a path
  • cropping
  • ploughing
  • a structure on the path
  • the surface of a path

If you have any other issues please contact highways@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Covid-19 information:

Public Rights of Way, provided under the Highways Act 1980 and use of Access Land under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000: Covid-19

Exercise remains important for people’s physical and mental wellbeing, so the government has said people can leave their homes for exercise and health reasons.

The National Farmers Union and Country Land and Business Association are still concerned about increased use of public rights of way on their property increasing the risk to livestock, such as instances of gates being left open and dogs not being controlled.

Further concerns have been raised by stakeholders that the use of public rights of way that run through gardens, farmyards and schools is increasing the risk of exposure to the coronavirus to residents and farm workers.

The risk of the coronavirus being passed on to others from people using public rights of way and other paths and trails is considered to be very low as long as people follow the Government’s instructions to maintain social distancing.

Government advice about the public’s use of green spaces is at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-guidance-on-access-to-green-spaces

Landowners do not have the legal right to block or obstruct public rights of way or access land. However, in very limited circumstances where large numbers of people are using such routes, landowners may consider the following measures:

  • tying gates open if it is safe to do so, so that walkers/riders do not need to touch the gate.
  • temporarily displaying polite notices that encourage users to respect local residents and workers by following social distancing guidelines and consider using alternative routes that do not pass through gardens, farmyards or schools.  Notices may be downloaded from this webpage.
  • Note: this is a polite request only, and there is no power under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW) or the Highways Act 1980 for landowners to close or obstruct a public right of way or use of access land.
  • offering an alternative route around gardens and farmyards only where it is safe to do so (you must gain permission from relevant landowners and make sure the route is safe for users and livestock) provided that the original right of way is maintained.

Key points to Note

  • Under Section 137 the Highways Act 1980, it is an offence to obstruct free passage along a public right of way.
  • It is an offence under Section 57 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 to display a notice that contains “any false or misleading statement likely to deter the public from using” a right of way.
  • It is also an offence under section 14 of the CROW Act 2000 to display a sign which deters the public from exercising their right to use that access land
  • It is an offence under Section 132 of the Highways Act 1980 to display on the surface of a public right of way or on any tree or structure within the public right of way any unauthorised sign or mark.
  • Land owners may be liable for personal injury under section 2 of the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 and Section 1 of the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1984 if they are reckless or intend to create a risk – for example by offering a dangerous alternative.

This means that

  • If a land owner offers an alternative route, they must ensure that it is safe to use and that the existing right of way or use of access land is maintained so that users with differing abilities have a choice.
  • A notice must not imply that there is any doubt about the use of the existing right of way or use of access land.

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