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Click to unload Homersfield Walks Map
Walk A - Timer Shrub / River Valley Walk: 2+ miles
Walk B - Parish Boundary Walk: 2+ miles
Walk C - Gravel Pit / Flixton Estate Walk: 2+ miles (optional extra mile available)
Click to view the Definitive Map for Homersfield (updated 3rd February 2016)
Public Rights of Way
The laws in England and Wales provide you with the right to walk, ride, cycle and drive in public rights of way in the countryside.
Public rights of way include footpaths, byways and bridleways. Public rights of way are listed and described in Definitive Maps and Statements (legal records of public rights of way). Check your local authority's office or local library for a copy of the Definitive Map and statement for your area.
Do
- Footpaths
This public right of way is meant for pedestrians only. You are allowed to walk your dog as long as it is under your close control. When walking a dog, you must ensure that it keeps to the public footpath and does not trespass into nearby properties. Prams, pushchairs or wheelchairs can also be used on a footpath.
- Bridleways
These are meant for walkers, horseriders and by cyclists. Bicyclists are expected to give way to walkers and horseriders.
- Byways Open To All Traffic (BOAT) and Restricted Byways
These byways are normally marked "byways" and are open to motorists, bicyclists, horse riders, motorcyclists and pedestrians. As with public tarmac road networks, motorists must ensure that they are legally authorised to use BOATs (i.e. registered, taxed, insured and MoT'd)
Restricted Byways are created under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. They are open to the traffic mentioned above in BOATs, but exclude motor vehicles and motorcycles.
Don't
- Footpaths
Footpaths on edge of a field must not be ploughed. Footpaths can be ploughed, if they cross fields. However, a minimum width of 1 metre must be made available within 14 days of ploughing. Landowners must also ensure that they restore footpaths after ploughing
If you are walking a dog, you must make sure that it does not stray off the legal lines of a public footpath as this may constitute an act of trespass. Also, ensure that you clean up your dog mess if your dog fouls up on a footpath
- Bridleways
Bridleways on the edge of a field must also not be ploughed except they cross over fields. Like footpaths, landowners must also give a minimum width of 2 metres within 14 days of commencing ploughing. Landowners must also ensure that they restore bridleways after ploughing. Motor cars, mini motors and motorcyclists are not allowed on bridleways.
- Restricted Byways
Motorcyclists, motorists in motorcars, mini motors, quad bikes, non-road legal scramblers are not allowed on restricted byways. Restricted byways must also not be ploughed or obstructed to prevent public use.
Do Nots for Landowners
- You cannot grow crops on a public right of way, however, grass can be grown for hay and silage.
- Dairy bulls over 10 months are not allowed to cross over a field with a right of way.
- You cannot put up stiles or gates without the permission of your local authority.
- You cannot put up misleading signs to prevent people from using a public right of way.
- You are not allowed to harass, intimidate (e.g. placing a fierce dog on public right of way) or prevent members of the public from using a public right of way.
- It is an offence under the Highways Act 1980 to put up barbed wires, electric fences or exposed barb wire that prevents or obstructs a public right of way
Do Nots for Users of Public Rights of Way
- You are not allowed to disturb or harm any wildlife found on a public right of way.
- You should not drop or leave litter on a public right of way.
- You should not trespass on neighbouring lands to public rights of way. At all times keep to the legal limits.