A Landowner’s Guide to Public Rights of Way - Roles and Responsibilities
In this section
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Landowners’ Principal Responsibilities
- 3. Who is responsible for Stiles and Gates on Public Rights of Way?
- 4. Who is responsible for Bridges on Public Rights of Way?
- 5. What fencing is permitted near a Public Right of Way?
- 6. How Wide is a Public Right of Way?
- 7. Who should maintain the surface of a Public Right of Way?
- 8. Who should maintain hedgerows?
- 9. Can I plough and grow crops across a Public Rights of Way?
- 10. Can I change the Route of a Public Right of Way?
- 11. Can I remove a Public Right of Way from my land?
- 12. Can I challenge the accuracy of the Definitive Map and Statement?
- 13. Can I protect my land from the addition of more Public Rights of Way?
- 14. Contact Us
3. Who is responsible for Stiles and Gates on Public Rights of Way?
Countryside furniture (eg. Gates and stiles) are sometimes needed by landowners for the purposes of farm management and stock control. These structures are the responsibility of and owned by the landowner/occupier.
New gates and stiles should conform to British Standard designs – further information on the current British Standard for stiles and gates can be provided by the Countryside Access team.
The County Council’s Public Rights of Way Furniture Charging Policy outlines the level of assistance landowners can expect for PRoW furniture on their land. Landowners can claim 25% towards the cost of maintaining PRoW furniture, this can be increased at the discretion of the Council. It is advisable to contact the Council to discuss any contribution towards PRoW furniture prior to incurring costs.
Local Authority consent is required before putting in any new structure such as a gate or stile across a PRoW. Permission for new path furniture can only be granted under certain circumstances, please contact the Countryside Access team for further information.
Landowners are liable for any injury caused by dilapidated, inappropriate, missing or poorly maintained countryside furniture on the PRoW network.
