Living in a rural parish like Moreton, Bobbingworth and the Lavers means we are blessed with a wide range of connected Public Rights of Way (PRoW). These can include footpaths, bridleways and Byways, many of which are regularly used by dog walkers, and simply those wanting to access the countryside. This page provides you with useful information with how your find out what PRoW are near to you, and what to do if you encounter a problem.
Q. How can I find out which PRoW are near to me, including their offical identification?
Essex County Council is responsible to managing and maintaining the official definitive map. Visit PRoW Interactive Map | Essex County Council (essexhighways.org) to user their interactive map, and find out more about the PRoW near you.
Q. Who is responsible for maintaining PRoW?
This is perhaps a little more complicated. Essex County Council has a very useful information page about PRoW, including a section on Rights and Responsibilities. Responsibilities lie with a number of individuals, including you as the user, Essex County Council as the main Highway authority, and the landowner themselves, which can sometimes be tricky to find out. Essex County Council is responsible for:
- Putting signposts where paths leave a road
- Way-marking path junctions
- Installing and repairing bridges over waterways
- Maintaining the vegetation upgrowth on routes (except cross field paths where the landowner has a responsibility) so as not to cause an impassable obstruction
- Repairing surfaces
- Working with landowners who must reinstate their cross field paths and keep them clear of crops (for information landowners have 14 days after planting crops to ensure the PRoW is clearly marked and available for use. This can become difficult during harvest when crops are high and sometimes hang over footpaths, etc).
- Working with landowners who maintain approved stiles and gates to safe standards
- Take enforcement action against landowners/ occupiers/ developers who fail to carry out their obligations in respect of Public Rights of Way
To find out more about responsibilities, visit Public Rights of Way | Essex County Council (essexhighways.org)
Q. What do I do if a PRoW is blocked or unuseable?
You can directly report this to Essex County Council via their 'Tell Us' page on their website - Tell us - Essex County Council (essexhighways.org)
If you think there’s a risk to public safety, do not report it online, please call immediately on 0345 603 7631 or if you have hearing problems you can use their text phone service on 0345 758 5592.