A Public Right of Way is a highway over which the public have a right of access along a linear route. The nature of the right determines the type of way, which can be either:
Public footpaths, over which the right of way is on foot only and waymarked with a yellow arrow.
Public bridleways, over which the right of way is on foot, on horseback or on a bicycle and waymarked with a blue arrow.
Byway Open to All Traffic ( BOAT), over which the right of way is for vehicles and all other kinds of user. Waymarked with red arrows.
Restricted Byway. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 will replace existing Road Used as Public Paths (RUPPs) with Restricted Byways. The public will have a right of way on foot, on horseback, on a bicycle and be able to use a horsedrawn carriage.
In addition to public rights of way access land is being made available to the public.
Some of this access land is voluntary and is provided by permission of the landowner for a limited period under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Although not normally shown on maps a signboard is usually located at the entrance to the access area.
For more information you can visit the defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) website at www.defra.gov.uk/rural/publicaccess
The National Trust, Forestry Commission and Woodland Trust sites also provide access land and these are shown on OS Explorer maps.
For more information visit the following websites:
New access land will be shown on OS maps once the mapping process under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 has been completed. This will include areas of mountain, moor, heath, downland and common land. There may also be other areas which landowners will choose to ‘dedicate' for access.
For more information please visit the Countryside Agency website at www.countryside.gov.uk/access/mapping
Ordnance Survey Explorer maps (orange cover) are recommended for planning and following a route through the countryside. The maps show most areas open to the public; including public rights of way, access areas and helpful tourist information.
These are available from bookshops and larger newsagents. For more information look on the Ordnance Survey website at www.ordsvy.gov.uk
Disclaimer: The contents of other external internet sites are not the responsibility of Swindon Borough Council.
Accessibility Guideline Notes
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