Information for users
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The information on this page is aimed at the users of public rights of way in Bracknell Forest and will help you understand your basic rights and responsibilities. Information about walking events and outdoor activities that take place along our rights of way, together with advice on how to find your way can be found on our Walking page.
Your rights and responsibilities
The right to use highways such as footpaths, bridleways and byways is your right to pass and re-pass at all times without being obstructed or intimidated.
This covers incidental activities such as taking a pram, pushchair or wheelchair if practicable; taking a dog under close control, admiring the views, bird watching etc.
As path users you may make a small deviation to avoid an obstruction or remove an illegal obstruction sufficient to get past.
Users of rights of ways must:
- Stay on the route of a right of way and use it in accordance with its status (footpath, bridleway etc)
- Keep dogs under close control (on a lead if necessary),
- Close gates which are found closed
Follow the country code:
- enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work
- guard against all risk of fire
- fasten all gates
- keep your dog under close control
- keep to public paths across farmland
- use gates and stiles to cross hedges, fences and walls
- leave livestock, crops and machinery alone
- take your litter home
- help to keep water clean
- protect wildlife, plants and trees
- take special care on country roads
- make no unnecessary noise
Users of rights of way must not:
- use the countryside for dog toileting
- stray from the path
- drive a motorised vehicle on a Restricted Byway
Further information about the Countryside Code and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act can be found on the Directgov website.
It is an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 (RTA88) to drive a motorised vehicle on a restricted byway except with lawful authority. The NERC Act provides for a right of way where people rely on unrecorded public vehicular rights for access to their property, with an exemption from prosecution under RTA 88.
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