John Bowen looks into what exactly a ‘Right of Way’ is…


Karen Douglas’s definition of Rights of Way in her response to my recent letter is a matter of interpretation, I suspect.


Q. When is a path not a path?
A. When it's a footpath.


The following quote is from the Ramblers Association website:

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‘What is a right of way?’

A right of way in the countryside is either a footpath, a bridleway or a byway. On footpaths the public has a right of way on foot only. On bridleways it also has a right of way on horseback and on a pedal cycle. Byways are open to all classes of traffic, including motor vehicles. Legally, a public right of way is part of the Queen's highway and subject to the same protection in law as all other highways, including trunk roads.

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The full document is worth reading sometime. Some interesting stuff !