Landowner and occupier responsibilities
Landowners and occupiers of land are responsible for ensuring that:
- they are aware of the public rights of way that cross their land and know where they are
- all public rights of way that cross their land are free from obstructions such as locked gates, fences, unlawful livestock etc.
- vegetation that grows on their land is cut back and not allowed to encroach on the public right of way
- authorised gates and stiles are in a good state of repair
- there are no misleading or intimidating signs on public rights of way across their land for example “dangerous dog” or “private road”
Landowner or tenants may not:
- install cattle grids on the right of way
- relocate the line of the path, or reduce the width or the path
- alter way markers or fingerposts
- park vehicles, or store any machinery or materials on the path
- alter the drainage onto the path or install ditches along or across the path
The Council must be contacted for authorisation before:
- the surface of the public right of way is altered in anyway
- any new furniture (gates and stiles) on the right of way are installed or changed.