Farmers' and Landowners' Responsibilities

Farmers should:

  • Know where Public Rights of Way cross their land, and maintain stiles and bridle gates in good order.
  • Refrain from obstructing the paths, and cut back overhanging vegetation.
  • Refrain from ploughing a footpath or bridleway, which constitutes a headland of a field, or runs alongside a hedgerow.
  • Ensure that paths across fields are reinstated two weeks after ploughing.
  • Ensure that disturbance to paths following drainage schemes is put right without delay.
  • Not allow any bull over ten months of age free range of any field through which a footpath or bridleway passes.
  • Obtain the consent of the Borough Council before erecting new stiles or gates.
  • Provide adequate bridges where new ditches are made or existing ones widened.

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