Who can use public rights of way?
There are four
categories of public right of way:
Footpath
For walkers only. You are allowed to take a pram, pushchair or
wheelchair along a public footpath but please be aware that many
routes may not be physically suitable for that purpose. Public
footpaths are mostly waymarked with yellow arrows.
Bridleway
For walkers, horseriders and pedal cyclists. Cyclists must give
way to walkers and horseriders. Bridleways are mostly waymarked
with blue arrows.
Byways open to all traffic
Often just referred to as byway, for vehicles, cyclists,
horseriders and walkers. Because of their nature, they
are used mainly as footpaths or bridleways. Byways open to all
traffic are mostly waymarked with red arrows.
The Byways Working Group, Kent Off Road Vehicles Association and
Kent Countryside Access Forum support a voluntary code of conduct
for motor vehicle use. Details are on our Code of conduct for motor vehicle users
page.
Restricted byway
For walkers, horseriders, cyclists and horse drawn vehicles.
Restricted byways are mostly waymarked with purple arrows.
Additional information
- A permissive route is not a public right of way. The public are
allowed to use it with the kind permission of the landowner
- There is a difference between public and private rights. Kent
County Council does not hold records of private rights of access -
you should seek your own legal advice on such matters
- When using public rights of way you should be aware that there
might also be additional landowner or other private rights of
access with vehicles
- Although footpaths, bridleways and restricted byways exclude
motor vehicles, this is without prejudice to any higher public
rights that may exist. For example, in certain cases private access
rights may exist.