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Looking after Cheshire's Paths.

Most public rights of way cross private land. Responsibility for them is shared by the landowner and the highway authority. Put simply, the landowner is responsible for keeping them free from obstruction and for looking after gates and stiles on the route, whilst the highway authority is responsible for maintaining them in good condition and signing and waymarking them.

In Cheshire, the rights of way team within the Countryside Management Service looks after all paths in rural areas and those paths in towns which don't have a sealed surface. Those urban paths which do have a sealed surface - tarmac, flags or concrete - are looked after by the relevant area highways team.

The Council is keen to ensure that new building and other developments do not unnecessarily interfere with the public rights of way network and that public access is improved where possible. A guide aimed at planning officers, developers and conveyancers is published by the Council.

Whether in urban or rural areas, the Council's duties as the highway authority include those in the list below - click on any item for more detail. Alternatively visit Cheshire Paths - Rights and Responsibilities.

The Council's responsibilities include:

• Keeping rights of way clear of undergrowth (ie vegetation growing in the surface of the path)
  • Strimming and routine maintenance path list. If you would like to suggest additional paths that need adding to our routine maintenance list, please complete a path problem form, report it by phone or in writing to the rights of way maintenance office.
• Assisting farmers and landowners with maintenance of stiles and gates
• Signposting footpaths, bridleways and byways where they leave the metalled road
• Waymarking paths to help users find their way
• Maintaining most bridges and culverts

Landowners' responsibilities include:

• Keeping any rights of way on their land clear of overgrowth (ie hedge outgrowth across the path)
• Maintaining any stiles and gates which are needed on the path
• Keeping the path free from obstruction - including growing crops
• Not ploughing field edge paths, or any byway
• Reinstating cross-field paths after ploughing etc (in accordance with the Rights of Way Act 1990)

If you come across any problems affecting a right of way in Cheshire or if you would like to suggest additional paths that need adding to our routine maintenance list, please complete a path problem form, or report it by phone or in writing to the rights of way maintenance officer at:

Public Rights of Way Office
Phoenix House
Clough Road
Winsford
Cheshire
CW7 4BD

Phone 01606 541801
Fax 01606 541818

Email: prow@cheshire.gov.uk