Countryside Access Design Standards
The Countryside Access Design and Construction
Standards have been produced by Kent County Council to ensure
that all countryside paths and public green spaces are accessible
and offer visitors a safe and enjoyable experience, whilst
respecting the needs of landowners.
Both landowners and public bodies have a role to play in the
management of Kent's public path and green space network.
The following information explains who is responsible for what,
and the legal requirements we must all adhere to.
General information
- Landowners are legally responsible for the maintenance of any
furniture such as a stile or gate on public rights of way over
their land
- The installation of any new structure on a public right of way
must have prior legal authorisation from KCC. This does not apply
if a structure is being repaired or replaced
- KCC is obliged to provide a grant of a minimum 25% of the costs
of replacing, or repairing, stiles and gates on public rights of
way. KCC usually does this by providing the materials at a
subsidised rate
- All new structures should be set back from vehicular roads for
a distance of at least 4000mm for bridleways and at least 2000mm
for footpaths
- When installing new structures, or repairing existing ones,
please remember that we should be making our paths and public green
space as accessible as possible. The order of preference should
always be a gap, a gate and lastly, a stile
- Where landowners offer to replace stiles with gaps or gates on
public rights of way, KCC will consider increasing its financial
contribution to the installation costs
- All standards are designed with both public and animal safety
in mind.
The Countryside Access Service is always happy to provide advice
and guidance. If you require further technical or legal advice on
countryside access issues, please contact us by telephone, email or
post.
Note: Landowners within the Kent Downs Areas of
Outstanding Natural Beauty can find further information contained
within the Landscape
Design Handbook.