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Public rights of way

We manage more than 250km of public rights of way in and around Peterborough. We are responsible for maintaining a definitive map and statement (the legal record for the right of way) and asserting the public's right to use public rights of way. We are not responsible for rights of way outside of the Peterborough area or for private rights of way or "easements". There are three different types of rights of way, to which different legal rights apply.

Footpaths - used by pedestrians

You have the right to pass and re-pass on foot along a footpath with a normal accompaniment (e.g. a dog, a pram or a wheelchair)
You do not have the right to ride or wheel a bicycle along a footpath
It is a criminal offence to drive a motor vehicle along a public footpath unless you have specific lawful authority
You do not have the right to ride or lead a horse, or take a horse-drawn carriage along a footpath

Bridleways - used by pedestrians, horses and cyclists

You have the right to pass and re-pass on foot along a bridleway, to ride or lead a horse, to drive animals and to ride a bicycle. Cyclists must give way to walkers and horse riders on a bridleway
It is a criminal offence to drive a motor vehicle along a bridleway unless you have specific lawful authority
You do not have the right to take a horse drawn vehicle along a bridleway

Byway open to all traffic - used by all traffic

You have the right to pass and re-pass on foot, to ride or lead a horse, to drive animals and to ride a bicycle or drive motorised vehicles
The public have the same rights on a byway as on surfaced country lanes. However, there is no legal obligation for a byway to be surfaced
Vehicles using byways must be fully taxed, MOT'd and insured