Natural England - Duties of local authorities

Duties of local authorities

Local authorities should:

  • maintain the surface of highways and control vegetation (other than crops) on the surface of field-edge paths and those enclosed by hedges, fences or walls;

  • maintain bridges over natural water courses, including farm ditches (if the ditch was there when the path was first recorded);

  • provide signposts where rights of way leave metalled roads (highway authorities may also waymark rights of way, after consulting the landowner);

  • assert and protect the public's rights to use public rights of way;

  • secure the removal of obstructions including those resulting from damage to the surface;

  • ensure there are no intimidating notices that deter the public from using rights of way, and prosecute anyone who displays such notices;

  • take action, in default where necessary, to ensure that the duties of others are carried out;

  • provide a minimum 25 per cent contribution towards any costs incurred by a landowner in maintaining stiles or gates on public rights of way.

Rights of way improvement plans

All local authorities were required by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, to prepare a rights of way improvement plan by November 2007 and to review the plans at ten-year intervals. Public consultation is part of the process of preparing and reviewing the plans.

Further information and guidanceexternal link for local authority staff.

Guidance for rights of way staff

The Rights of Way Good Practice Guideexternal link gives rights of way staff a means to exchange information and share experience about all aspects of rights of way work.

Rights of way staff can get further advice from the Institute for Public Rights of Wayexternal link.