Natural England - Who is responsible for public rights of way?
Who is responsible for public rights of way?
The responsibility for recording and maintaining rights of way is shared between local authorities, landowners and occupiers.
Local authorities (national park authorities, county councils, some district councils, metropolitan boroughs or unitary authorities) must record the legal existence and location of rights of way on the definitive map, and ensure that they are open for public use.
Landowners and occupiers must ensure that rights of way are not blocked by crops or other vegetation or otherwise obstructed, that the route is identifiable and the surface is restored soon after cultivation.
