Take extra care in the countryside
If you are using the public paths in the countryside this winter then please take care when walking near rivers, ditches and drains.
Due to the recent wet weather many areas of the county have seen rising water levels and these may cause localised flooding and make walking on some routes difficult. If you are planning on using the rights of way network then please be aware of potential water hazards in the county.
Reporting problems
Problems on rights of way in Cambridgeshire should be reported to the Countryside Access Team using either the online form provided, or by contacting the team directly.
Countryside Access Team
The Access Team works in partnership with others to provide opportunities for sustainable transport and healthier lifestyles through the public path network. The team:
- Maintain, protect and improve access to the rights of way network of footpaths, bridleways and byways for the use and enjoyment of everyone.
- Work with local parishes, district councils, landowners, farmers, agencies, private companies, volunteers and organisations.
- Manage the Definitive Map, which is the legal record of the registered rights of way in the county, showing all the routes and reflecting changes to existing routes and creations of new ones.
- Maintain access for people between towns and villages, linking communities and the wider countryside, and aim to create a connected and safer network.
- Ensure that access to the countryside is both maintained and created in developments and future growth in Cambridgeshire.
The team is not responsible for the Peterborough Unitary Authority area, Private Rights of Way (easements) and footways (pavements alongside roads and many surfaced paths within towns are the responsibility of the Highways Divisional Depots).
Maintenance responsibilities are split between the Council and the landowner. In the case of parishes in the P3 Scheme, maintenance is undertaken in partnership.
From time to time it is necessary to close a Right of Way by means of a Traffic Regulation Order for maintenance work to be undertaken, or due to safety issues. These regulation orders relate to byways (open to all traffic) and some are subject to seasonal traffic restrictions to avoid damage to the surface during the winter months.
To find out about temporary ROW closures and restrictions consult Traffic Delays and Street Work Information.
Seasonal Traffic Regulation Orders
From October until April, a new seasonal Traffic Regulation Order prohibits the driving on the byway network from Lambs Cross, Westwick, across the Old West River to Aldreth and Haddenham. This restriction has been agreed to protect the surface from damage by inappropriate recreational motor use during the winter months. Pedestrians, equestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists can still enjoy these paths.
Routes with Restricted Access
A number of public rights of way, mainly byways, have restricted access through Prohibition of Driving Orders. These orders prevent access by certain types of traffic in order to protect the surface and character of the routes for use by the remaining majority of 'soft' users (usually pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians). They vary as to whether they apply all year round or are seasonally applied in the winter months when wet weather most affects them. A List of Routes with Restricted Access (PDO's) is available to view using the link on the right hand menu. In due course we hope to have a map showing all the routes available online.
Temporary path closures - Guided Busway
During the build of the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway, it will be necessary to temporarily close several Rights of Way. To find out about what is open and what is closed, consult the Guided Busway web pages using the link on the right.
Gating on urban rights of way
New legislation (May 2006) allows a highway authority to make orders for gates to be erected across public rights of way in urban areas in order to combat anti-social behaviour. There are several stages to the process, explained in the County Council's Gating Order Policy
For advice relating to this issue please contact the local Divisional Maintenance Engineer.'