Helpful information

The Walking the Riding pages are provided to help you enjoy the East Ridings Public Rights of Way and deal with any problems that you may find while using the network. We consult and work with landowners to resolve problems concerning Public Rights of Way access across their land. We maintain stiles and marker posts along the network of routes and clear vegetation where it may be affecting access.
 

In general terms, there are three types of Public Right of Way :

  • Public footpaths: for use by pedestrians only
  • Bridleways: for use by those on foot, horseback, or pedal cycle (not motor bike)
  • Byways: sometimes referred to as byways open to all traffic (BOATs) these are usually old roads, or roads used as public paths (RUPPs), these are for use by all types of traffic.

On a Public Footpath you may :

  • Take a pram, pushchair or wheelchair if practicable
  • Take a dog (on a lead or under close control
 

On any type of Right of Way you may take a short diversion around an illegal obstruction, or remove it sufficiently to get past.

The Public Rights of Way team is responsible for :

  • Management and maintenance of PROW network, including path, bridge, stile and gate repairs, but excluding hard surfacing of paths
  • Liaison with landowners over obstructions
  • Liaison with landowners over diversions
  • Planning consultation
 
  • Arranging or carrying out works following responses to S56 Notices
  • Responding to claims for injury owing to faulty rights of way
  • Review of Milestones Statement, in consultation with Definitive Map Officer
  • Publicity
  • Education
  • Making of permissive path agreements
  • Initial stages of claims for public rights of way
  • First line enquiries on all public rights of way issues referring Definitive Map issues to LTP Development & Programming
  • Posting and checking of temporary closure notices
  • Co-ordinating liaison with user groups, Yorkshire & the Humber Access Group and County Surveyors Society Countryside Working Group
  • Leading guided walks in co-operation with Countryside Officers
  • Instructing volunteer groups on maintenance and improvement issues

The Authority is part of the Parish Paths Partnership. The parishes looked after by Trevor Appleton support this partnership. The aims of the Partnership are to :

  1. Encourage local people to make the most of the public paths in the area.
  2. To improve and publicise public paths in partnership with local people.
  3. To establish efficient, effective and economic ways of ensuring that the rights of way network is open and available for use.

Right to roam (Open Access)

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 provides for the right of free access to uncultivated land. This includes mountain, moor, heath and down. In the East Riding of Yorkshire this will mean dry valleys of the Wolds and all registered commons. However, work will not start in this area until 2003.

Responsibility for mapping the open access areas rests with the Countryside Agency, not local authorities and anyone wanting to find out more about this issue should contact the Countryside Agency direct. The Yorkshire and Humber Regional office is based in Leeds and can be reached on telephone number 01132 469222.

Click here for help with this website or Public Rights of Way within the East Riding of Yorkshire