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What is a public right of way? (Footpaths, Bridleways, Restricted Byways, Byways)
Public Rights and Private Rights
Who looks after public rights of way in Bolton? (Bolton Council, landowners and farmers)
There are over 350 km's of public rights of way in Bolton of which approximately 300 km's are footpaths, approximately 50 km's are restricted byways with the remainder being bridleways. The council works closely with both users and landowners, to keep the network well maintained, well publicised and safe to use for all to enjoy.
Public rights of way are minor public highways that exist for the benefit of the community at large, in much the same way as the public road network does. Like a public road, a public right of way may be used at any time. Rights of way are classified according to the nature of the public's rights along them.
There are four main types of public rights of way which are:
Public footpaths
For walkers only. You are allowed to take a pram, push chair, invalid carriage or wheelchair along any public footpath. However please be aware that many paths, particularly in the countryside, may not be physically suitable for them. You can also walk with your dog, but cannot push or ride a bicycle.
Public footpaths are often waymarked with yellow arrows.
Bridleways
For walkers, horse riders and cyclists. Cyclists must give way to walkers and horse-riders. Bridleways are often waymarked with blue arrows.
Restricted byways (formally known as RUPP's - Road Used as a Public Path)
'Restricted byways' are available for walkers, horse-riders, cyclists and horse drawn vehicles only. Restricted byways are sometimes waymarked with purple arrows.
Byways open to all traffic ('BOATs')
As the name suggests, these routes (often simply called byways) are for walkers, horse-riders, cyclists, motorcycles and other motor vehicles. BOATs are sometimes waymarked with red arrows.
Please be aware that Bolton has no recorded BOAT's
It is important to distinguish between public rights of way and private rights of way. All public rights of way should be signposted where they leave a tarmaced road or waymarked where they start from the junction with a rural path. Bolton Council holds full records of where the borough's public rights of way are, so if you are unsure, please contact us to ask.
Private rights of access do not apply to the public at large, they are usually for the benefit of private landowners or property owners, and commonly grant a right of access to land or property over roads that have no public status. There are exceptions to this however, such as private vehicular rights along a way that has public footpath status. Please note that the council does not hold records of private rights of access, wayleaves or easements.
As the Highway Authority, Bolton Council is responsible for the management of public rights of way. Many public rights of way run across privately owned land and the responsibility for looking after these is shared between Bolton Council and the landowner or farmer.
The council is responsible for:
- Signposting a right of way where it leaves a road.
- Waymarking paths along their routes where necessary
- Keeping rights of way in reasonable repair and clearing surface vegetation
- Ensuring that they are free from obstructions
- Ensuring that farmers and landowners reinstate rights of way after ploughing or cropping
- Maintaining the Definitive Map and Statement, which is the legal record of public rights of way
- Consideration of applications for the legal diversion or closure of a public right of way
Landowners and farmers are responsible for:
- Keeping all paths free from obstruction
- Cutting back overhanging vegetation
- Reinstatement of paths after ploughing and keeping them clear of growing crops
- Maintaining gates and stiles
- Not ploughing paths that run along a field edge