Public Rights of Way

Winding their way round the country for more than 33,000 km, Public Rights of Way are the paths, routes and roads that provide the main means for us to enjoy our dynamic countryside. They are our green highways. As with different stretches of road and motorway, what you can do depends on what highway you're on...

Being able to enjoy the freedom of the surrounding landscape is a right to which everyone is entitled. However, we're not all aware of the tremendous benefits the countryside can offer - physically, socially, and mentally.

CCW has an ongoing mission to tackle this, and broadcast these benefits. We want to ensure that the network of Rights of Way highways are:

in excellent condition and easy to use
accurately described, so that people know what's out there!
well publicised and easy to find out about

Step away from the city. Leave the car in the garage. Walk the kids to school.

Whatever your reason for using outdoor access, how the network of routes is managed and developed will affect you.

Different kinds of highway

There are four kinds of Rights of Way in Wales. They can be used in different ways, depending on the type.

79% of Rights of Way in Wales are footpaths which can be used by walkers.
15% are bridleways which can be used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
The other 6% of the network is made up of two kinds of byways:
- Restricted byways, which can be used by the same groups as bridleways whilst also allowing horse drawn carriages and other non-motorised vehicles.
- Byways, which are open to all traffic, including vehicles, such as motor bikes.

People using wheelchairs can use all of the above routes if they are suitable.

Resources

General

A Guide To Definitive Maps And Changes To Public Rights Of Way This guidance provides detailed information about the legal record of rights of way and how to make changes to the rights of way network.

Download GDM_final_Eng.pdflow quality (543 KB)
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Rights of Way Improvement Plan Funding Programme: Key Achievements 2008/09 This paper highlights the key achievements of the programme giving examples of visible improvements on the ground and the benefits to users. There is also analysis on the types of improvements done to encourage and allow more people to use paths and improvements specifically aimed to make outdoors easier for people who find it difficult.

Download Key Achievements ROWIP Funding Programme 2008 09.pdflow quality (368 KB)
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RIGHTS OF WAY IMPROVEMENT PLAN FUNDING PROGRAMME (ROWIP) 2008-09, END OF YEAR OUTPUTS REPORT. The paper gives a financial overview and gives an analysis of the types of work that were carried out. There is also an analysis of the status and length of route which the ROWIP Funding Programme (amongst contributions from other sources of funding) helped make more accessible for people to use.

Download Outputs report ROWIP Funding Programme 21 July 09.pdflow quality (154 KB)
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Research

Full Report of Wales ROWIP Review 23 ROWIPs have been completed covering all of Wales; for the first time, there are strategic plans for each Authority area setting out needs, priorities and actions for improving access to the countryside. This has presented an opportunity to draw together the information in each ROWIP to present the national picture. This is the report of the CCW Review drawing together information for the whole of Wales.

Download Full Report of Wales ROWIP Review.PDFlow quality (1 MB)
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Research Notes of Wales ROWIP Review 23 ROWIPs have been completed covering all of Wales; for the first time, there are strategic plans for each Authority area setting out needs, priorities and actions for improving access to the countryside. This has presented an opportunity to draw together the information in each ROWIP to present the national picture.

Download Research Notes of Wales ROWIP Review.PDFlow quality (122 KB)
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