Public rights of way enforcement
Public Rights of Way - General Information
- Public rights of way are ways over which the public have the right to pass and re-pass.
- Public footpaths are for pedestrians only.
- Public bridleways are for pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists.
- Public byways are pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists and motorised vehicles, subject to the character of the way.
Maps of public rights of way
Public Rights of Way within the Basildon District are the responsibility of Essex County Council.
However, The definitive map showing all public rights of way in the Basildon district can be viewed during normal working hours at Basildon Council's town centre offices in St Martin's Square, Basildon.
Further information
- Essex County Council - Public rights of way (opens new window) - Information and contact details for enquiries about Public Rights of Way in Basildon District.
- GOV.UK - Right of way and open access land (opens new window) - provides a great deal of information on Public Rights of Way including Rights of Way Act 2000, Latest News, future plans & legislation.
- The Open Spaces Society (opens new window) - can advise on matters concerning Public Rights of Way.
- The Ramblers Association (opens new window) - campaigns to open up all public rights of way in England and Wales and to ensure that the existing rights of way network is protected, as part of our national heritage, and is available for everyone to use.
Public Rights of Way - Enforcement
Generally speaking Basildon Council is not able to take enforcement action over unauthorised blocking or diversions of public rights of way.
In its capacity as the local highways authority, Essex County Council - Public rights of way (opens new window) is the enforcing authority which has the authority to take enforcement action over unauthorised blocking or diversions of public rights of way.
The only cases in which Basildon Council as the Local Planning Authority can take action are those in which the blocking of the public right of way results from a breach of the planning permission, either:
- the permission has not been carried out in accordance with the approved plans;
- a condition of the planning permission has not been complied with.
In such cases the Local Planning Authority's enforcement action will be against the breach of planning control and not against the blocking of the public right of way. But the effect of the action may result in the removal of the blockage.