Home www.byways.org.uk

How many RoW are available to Vehicular users?

The ONLY Rights of Way shown on the definitive Map usable by motorised vehicles are shown as BOATs – Byways Open to All Traffic.

Depiction as a Footpath or Bridleway is without prejudice to higher rights. However it is a criminal offence to drive on a public path, they may well be gated at 5 foot width or have stiles installed. Anyone using a public path must have lawful authority, either evidence of the higher status, or the permission of the landowner.

What is the proportion of BOATs as a percentage of ALL RoW? - ONLY 1.85% The most recent DEFRA information is given in page 19 of the Consultation document:-

"Use of mechanically propelled vehicles on Rights of Way"

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Nobel House 17 Smith Square London SW1P 3JR Telephone 020 7238 6000

Website: www.defra.gov.uk © Crown copyright 2003 The material must be acknowledged as Crown copyright with the title and source of the publication specified.

Defra Publications Product code PB 8923:-

"Byways open to all traffic over which there is a public right of way for mechanically propelled vehicles, but which are mainly used by the public for similar purposes as bridleways and footpaths. 2. The consultation paper is concerned with the last two. There are about 241,500 km of public rights of way in England and Wales, of which 4,470 km are byways open to all traffic and 7,940 km are roads used as public paths (and will be replaced by restricted byways)."

4,470 km as a percentage of the 241,500 km total of RoW is 1.85%

However not all BOATs are available for use due to TROs Tarmac obstructions s116s etc

	Some byways are closed by TRO: Permanent, Temporary or a few Part-Time like this on the Gap road.
	These Bollards on a BOAT in Herefordshire are not legally placed there.
	This sign clearly showing a Footpath in two directions is actually BOAT. This is typical of Powys's abysmal signing and assertion of RoW. Ferley Hall.
	A Shropshire BOAT has locked barrier. Bucknell Hill.
	Dumped cars, on this BOAT at Madely is all too frequent.
	Many BOATs are well used tarmac roads, like this at Reeves Hill, Radnorshire. Therefore the total length of 'BOAT' available is simply unknown. The 'ends' of many BOATs are used for residential, commercial or agricultural access, thus even less of the recorded length is actually compliant with the definition of a BOAT.
	Shropshire prefer to ignore complaints of obstruction on BOATs. This BOAT at Overton near Ludlow has been reported many times over the past 6 years. The lower the status the higher the priority. Despite being usable by ALL callses of traffic, they should have the highest!
	Many more BOATs are obstructed by natural obstructions. Shropshire County Council frequently fail to clear obstructions. TRO's are easier. This at Clee St Margaret is one of 75% in the Parish to have a TRO advertised!
	"Cutting back" to Powys means "cutting back in maintenance"! A Powys BOAT near Hay on Wye.
	The BOAT is just to the right of the tree. This has not been passable by any type of users for many years! Near Ludlow, Shropshire.

Home www.byways.org.uk

09 04-02-11