Rights Of Way Flashcards
Permissive path
Permissive path
A permissive path is not a public right of way, but the public is allowed to use it with the permission of the landowner. Various waymark symbols are used.
Footpath.
How are foot paths shown on an OS map?
What may travel along them?
What colour are the sign post?
Footpath
The green dashed line (on OS Explorer maps) or pink dashed line (on OS Landranger maps) are footpaths with a public right of way.
They are legally protected routes that the public may use by foot.
Footpaths may cross private land, and in such cases the footpath must be kept to as the public only have the right to walk along the footpath.
If a landowner wishes to divert a public right of way they must obtain a legal order from their local authority. Footpaths are usually signposted with yellow or green arrows.
Bridleway
What colour and symbol are Bridleways?
What is and who may use a Bridleway?
Bridleway
Green or pink dashed lines.
As with footpaths, bridleways are legally protected routes that the public can use on foot or on horseback. While cyclists are permitted to use bridleways, the Countryside Act 1968 states there is no obligation to facilitate cyclists on the routes and they must give way to other users. Bridleways are usually signposted with blue arrows.
What colour and what is Permissive footpath?
Permissive footpath
This footpath takes you over private land and isn’t a right of way.
The landowner has granted permission for the route to be used by the public, but they also have the right to withdraw that permission if they choose.
The path will often be closed for one day a year to protect the landowner against any future claims of continuous public right of way. The date(s) the path is closed should be well signposted in the area.
What is and how is Open access land shown ( England & Wales)?
Open access land (England & Wales)
On our 1:25000 maps for England and Wales, some areas are shaded in yellow. This is open access land and within this area, you are free to roam. On 1:50000 Landranger mapping this is shown with a purple banding which includes symbols to differentiate between land owned by the National Trust, Forest Commission and Natural Resources Wales. Although there are footpaths and trails running across this land, you do not have to stick to them if you don’t want to.
