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Public Rights of Way
Posted 48 weeks ago (02/06) by Theresa Goss
Tracy Sutton - Oxfordshire County Council, Countryside Access Officer (North East)
Public Rights of Way
Most people know of the benefits and enjoyment experienced when out walking however fewer people are familiar with the legislation that protect and assert the publics rights of access. In the main, public rights of way are public rights across private land where people live and work. They are legally recorded routes and many have historic significance and cultural importance, giving access to marvellous landscapes and beautiful nature. Information on the counties public rights of way can be found on the Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) website via the link (1) below.
On legally record paths you have a right to 'pass and repass'. When using public rights of way if you are not familiar with the route it’s important to have the correct maps or literature with you to find your way. Waymarking and signposts will support maps when your are out and about. Follow the countryside code (2) and consider that the countryside is where farmers, foresters and others earn their living. Please exercise your rights with courtesy and consideration for their livelihood. If you go as a group, please walk or ride in single file where necessary (for example through crops to avoid damage) and try to avoid spreading out beyond the width of the path. As a polite reminder cyclists and horse riders must not use footpaths and cyclists should give way to riders and walkers on paths they can use. Respectively horse riders should give way to walkers.
After considering the above responsibilities of people accessing these paths, what about those who look after them? The Countryside Access Team at the OCC work with land managers and occupiers to keep public rights of way accessible as they have a share of responsibility under the relevant pieces of legislation. The Countryside Access Team become aware of issues on rights of way through reports from the people that use them and through our dedicated team of volunteers. You can report issues online via the interactive countryside access map with the link (3) below. When reporting issues the more information you can supply the better and sharing photos with us is really important to help us understand the problems walkers and riders are facing.