Rights of Way

Types of Rights of Way

• A footpath is a highway over which the public has a right of way on foot only
• A bridleway is a highway over which the public has a right of way on foot, horseback and on a pedal cycle (including mountain-bikes). There may also be a right to drive animals along a bridleway
• A restricted byway is a highway over which the public is entitled to travel on foot, horseback and with non-mechanically propelled vehicles (such as pedal cycles and horse drawn vehicles). There may also be a right to drive animals along a restricted byway
• A Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT) is a highway over which the public is entitled to travel on foot, horseback or pedal cycle and by wheeled vehicle of all kinds, including horse-drawn vehicles, but which is used by the public mainly for walking or for riding. Most of these highways do not have a surface suitable for ordinary motor traffic
• A permissive path is not a public right of way, but the public is allowed to use it with the permission of the land owner
• A green lane is an unsurfaced track or path, bounded by hedges or walls, and often of some antiquity. The term has no legal meaning, and, if there is a public right of way along such a track, it will usually be classified under one of the above headings.