Have you ever wondered about the different types of right of way?
Public rights of way in England and Wales have evolved over a long time. They started as simple tracks allowing people to travel from one village to another. Over time, they developed into defined routes, with rights of passage becoming enshrined in law.
Some rights of way, mostly surfaced public roads, have been planned and created for the purpose. They have not evolved. This process is known as explicit dedication. Very few recreational ways are created by this means; therefore, we won't look further at this.
The backways and recreational highways are the ones you will find in Wayfinder.
These minor ways fall into three broad categories:
Every recreational public right of way in England and Wales has the right to walk. Walking includes a 'reasonable accompaniment' such as a pram, although the way need not be suitable for prams! Footpaths only have the right to walk.
Horse riders and pedal cyclists must not use footpaths. But they can use bridleways. Cyclists are required to give way to walkers and horse-riders on bridleways. As well as riding a horse, you can also lead a horse. Many bridleways, but not all, have the right to drive (i.e. herd) other animals along them.
Everyone can usually travel along a carriageway. As the name suggests, this includes carriages or cars. In the countryside, this is generally horse-drawn carriages, 4x4's or motorcycles. These recreational carriageways are often called greenlanes. Greenlane is a descriptive term but has no legal meaning.
Other terms commonly in use for greenlanes are:
A hybrid type of way has been created in recent years, a Restricted Byway. These are carriageways without the right to use motorised vehicles. So horse-drawn carts and mobility scooters are allowed but motorcycles and 4x4s are not. Wayfinder sees these as a 'legal fudge' and thinks all Restricted Byways should change to a bridleway or carriageway.
A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) can affect any of these rights of way. A TRO can suspend some or all of the rights. These can be permanent, temporary or even seasonal or just at certain times of day.