Author Topic: Prow/public footpaths  (Read 1453 times)

sherpaboy

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13
Prow/public footpaths
« on: 15:29:51, 03/08/20 »
What is the difference please between a pubkic right of way, and a public footpath. Tyia

ninthace

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11824
Re: Prow/public footpaths
« Reply #1 on: 17:23:54, 03/08/20 »
What is the difference please between a public right of way, and a public footpath. Tyia
Public Rights of Way include roads, byways, restricted byways, bridleways and footpaths.  A public footpath is a subset of PROWs that can only be used by people on foot - no horses, bikes or offroaders.  It is denoted by a green pecked line on an OS map.  Do not confuse it with a footpath that is not a right of way - black pecked line on the map. Each county has a thing called the Definitive Map that shows public rights of way.  It is usually accessed through the Local Authority website.
More gen here
https://www.gov.uk/topic/outdoor-access-recreation/rights-of-way-open-access
« Last Edit: 17:28:30, 03/08/20 by ninthace »
Solvitur Ambulando

richardh1905

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12715
Re: Prow/public footpaths
« Reply #2 on: 18:02:54, 03/08/20 »
What ninthace said.


Do be aware that the existence of a public right of way does not guarantee that there is a viable path on the ground.


Best example of this that I have come across is the public footpath descending north east from the summit of Moel Hebog in Snowdonia - it goes over a cliff! The real path sensibly skirts eastwards around the cliff.


https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=4519fa5f-e468-4304-91da-07983a50c309&cp=53.004845~-4.136549&lvl=15&style=s&v=2&sV=2&form=S00027
WildAboutWalking - Join me on my walks through the wilder parts of Britain

BuzyG

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3761
Re: Prow/public footpaths
« Reply #3 on: 18:48:06, 04/08/20 »
What ninthace said.


Do be aware that the existence of a public right of way does not guarantee that there is a viable path on the ground.


Best example of this that I have come across is the public footpath descending north east from the summit of Moel Hebog in Snowdonia - it goes over a cliff! The real path sensibly skirts eastwards around the cliff.


https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=4519fa5f-e468-4304-91da-07983a50c309&cp=53.004845~-4.136549&lvl=15&style=s&v=2&sV=2&form=S00027


That is ridiculous.  There clearly could never have been a viable path on that route, so how did it ever get into the local definitive map in the first place.

ninthace

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11824
Re: Prow/public footpaths
« Reply #4 on: 18:54:08, 04/08/20 »

That is ridiculous.  There clearly could never have been a viable path on that route, so how did it ever get into the local definitive map in the first place.
Probably sponsored by the Darwin Awards or the Lemming Appreciation Society.
Solvitur Ambulando

pleb

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5765
Re: Prow/public footpaths
« Reply #5 on: 20:29:17, 04/08/20 »

That is ridiculous.  There clearly could never have been a viable path on that route, so how did it ever get into the local definitive map in the first place.
Funny folk, the Welsh  ;D
Whinging Moaning Old Fart

Bigfoot_Mike

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2407
Re: Prow/public footpaths
« Reply #6 on: 23:02:41, 04/08/20 »
Funny folk, the Welsh  ;D
I believe that route is only shown on maps sold in England. :)

fernman

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4529
Re: Prow/public footpaths
« Reply #7 on: 08:52:56, 05/08/20 »
I believe that route is only shown on maps sold in England. :)

 ;D ;D ;D

barewirewalker

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4226
Re: Prow/public footpaths
« Reply #8 on: 10:50:15, 05/08/20 »
A bit of ribaldry at the expense of the DM and our access network, an easy target as there are many anomalies to be thought over, rather than merely dismissed as the follies of bureaucracy. Why does a PRoW lead you over cliff, the ultimate example those, why try to defend their land against 'sharing the countryside' might use to deflect thoughtful analysis into the DM, which is a static and incomplete record of rights the public should have to their countryside?
What is the difference please between a pubkic right of way, and a public footpath. Tyia
There is an addition to Ninthace's accurate summary, which is so played down in discussion. The Permissive Way; few in reality and could be many if those occupiers of our countryside where to reverse a policy set in 1066 thinking.
Does a PRoW lead us Lemming like over a cliff, because of the slippage of a sheet of tracing paper over a base map in the OS drawing office, bit like the footpath that goes the wrong side of a hedge, when it appears to lead to a road. This example, of which there are number can have a logical explanation if the time and terrain are bought in the itellectual arena, something the landowner is keen or unable to bring to the fore.
The 19th century surveyors were remarkably accurate in their cartography, they recorded terrain so that our artillery could shoot over hills to inflict damage on a French army that looked likely to invade this country, when we were ill prepare to defend it on land. In doing so they recorded how a largely pedestrian population achieved both social and economic objectives at a time this country was one of the world's great achievers.
Many of the lessons we should be learning about access, both visitor and occupier are recorded on the OS map editions. I think the visitor is blind to them and the occupier wants to keep them buried.

BWW
Their Land is in Our Country.

Theo Frum

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 179
Re: Prow/public footpaths
« Reply #9 on: 14:02:15, 08/08/20 »
A public footpath is a subset of PROWs that can only be used by people on foot - no horses, bikes or offroaders.
AIUI a footpath PROW confers the statutory right of passage for pedestrians across private land without the need for the landowners consent, which law says other modes of transport can't be used by the landowner or with the consent of the landowner?

ninthace

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11824
Re: Prow/public footpaths
« Reply #10 on: 15:25:11, 08/08/20 »
AIUI a footpath PROW confers the statutory right of passage for pedestrians across private land without the need for the landowners consent, which law says other modes of transport can't be used by the landowner or with the consent of the landowner?
AIUI without owners consent,  horses or bikes - it has to be a bridleway.  Vehicles a byway.  Did you check the website?  As to what the landowner does, or gives other people permission to do - that surely is up to the landowner?
Solvitur Ambulando

Theo Frum

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 179
Re: Prow/public footpaths
« Reply #11 on: 15:44:51, 08/08/20 »
AIUI without owners consent,  horses or bikes - it has to be a bridleway.  Vehicles a byway.  Did you check the website?  As to what the landowner does, or gives other people permission to do - that surely is up to the landowner?


Yes, but the point I'm getting at is that the law and the landowner's discretion are two different things, AFAIK there's no law against bikes/horses/cars on a footpath (unless it's a footpath by the side of a road). So, for example, if a horse rider was a nuisance you could ask the landowner to sue for trespass, but you couldn't ask the police to arrest them. I did follow the link, but it looked like a day's job wading through it all.

ninthace

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11824
Re: Prow/public footpaths
« Reply #12 on: 16:21:52, 08/08/20 »
From the cycling lobby group
https://www.cyclinguk.org/article/campaigns-guide/cycling-on-footpath-trespass
Personal opinion - bikers on footpaths shoud be transported for life.
The current position is summed up here (I think)
http://www.environmentlaw.org.uk/rte.asp?id=207
« Last Edit: 16:32:56, 08/08/20 by ninthace »
Solvitur Ambulando

Jac

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3553
Re: Prow/public footpaths
« Reply #13 on: 18:05:28, 08/08/20 »
My understanding of the rules governing a Public Footpath are that you have the right to pass and repass along it on foot with 'usual accompaniments' such as a pushchair or dog.
You have no right to do so, but if you ride a horse or bicycle or use other means of transport on a footpath an offence is only committed if there is a local byelaw in force to say you can't.
Clear as the mud you walk through.
So many paths yet to walk, so little time left

ninthace

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11824
Re: Prow/public footpaths
« Reply #14 on: 19:17:35, 08/08/20 »
And aren't cyclists supposed to dismount and pass on foot if the bridleway is narrow, rather than requiring pedestrians to step out of their way?
Solvitur Ambulando

 

Terms of Use     Privacy Policy