Rights of Way

On rights of way you can . . .

Take a pram, pushchair or wheelchair if practicable
Take a dog providing it is on a lead or under close control
Take a short route round an illegal obstruction or remove it sufficiently to get past

Under English Law, it is the responsibility of the Landowner to maintain the right of way. The right of way must be kept clear of crops and nothing must be allowed to grow or fall across the path. Rights of way that cross fields may be ploughed and left unrestored for 14 days is the field has not been ploughed previously that year. If it has, then the path must be restored within 24 hours.

Where crops are obviously growing across the right of way it may be tempting to skirt round the field by trespassing. The consequences of trespassing are potentially more serious than any damage you may cause to crops by walking across a planted field - particularly if you walk in single file.

The law does permit you to make a detour round illegally placed obstructions (eg machinery or wire fencing) providing you make every effort not to cause any damage.