Who Looks After our Bridleways

The Highways Authority (County or Unitary) has the duty to ensure our bridleways, byways (and footpaths) are usable and fit for purpose.

The surface of the path is the direct responsibility of the Highways Authority, the surface of which is deemed to be the property of the authority.

Any vegetable or other ingress from the sides above ground level is the reponsibilty of the landowner, but the highways authority can take action to get the landowner to clear it or do the work itself and send the land owner the bill.

However in many instances this is not really fair and the landowners are not known, some highways authorities find it easiler in many circumstances to do the whole job.

Often highways authorities delegate paths clearance to parish councils.