Who is responsible for managing public rights of way?
Public rights of way are a part of the countryside of this
district - within Suffolk Coastal there are some 1,400 kilometres
of public rights of way recorded on definitive maps.
Protection and maintenance of rights of way in Suffolk
is the responsibilty
of Suffolk County Council (new window), who are
also responsible for ensuring that all public rights of way
are available for appropriate use by the public. This role
includes dealing with obstructions, damage to surfaces and
regular maintenance work.
If you find a problem on a public right of way in Suffolk
you should report it to Suffolk County Council by calling
0845 606 6067 or
by using their online form (new window).
Suffolk Coastal District Council deals with requests to create,
divert or extinguish public footpaths and bridleways.
Creating new footpaths or bridleways
The Council can enter into a legal agreement with a
landowner to create a new footpath or bridleway across his or her
land. It also has the power to make a public path creation order,
if there is shown to be a need for a new route.
Follow this link for more information about
creating new footpaths or bridleways.
Diverting footpaths or bridleways
The Council can divert footpaths and bridleways by public
path diversion orders made under the Highways Act 1980. Most orders
result from applications made by the owners of the land crossed by
existing routes.
Orders can also be made under the Town and Country Planning Act
1990, if a diversion is necessary to enable a planning permission
given by the Council to be implemented.
Follow this link for more information about
diverting footpaths or bridleways.
Extinguishing and stopping up footpaths or bridleways
The Council can extinguish footpaths and bridleways by
public path extinguishment orders made under the Highways Act 1980.
Most applications for extinguishment orders are submitted by
landowners together with proposals to divert and/or create other
routes on their land.
Stopping up orders can be made under the Town and Country
Planning Act 1990, if stopping up is necessary to enable a planning
permission given by the Council to be implemented.
Follow this link for more information
about extinguishing and stopping up footpaths or
bridleways.
Temporary closure of a public right of way
Public rights of way may be temporarily closed or diverted by
Suffolk County Council for many purposes, including development,
mineral extraction, defence purposes, maintenance, and to prevent
the spread of disease - such as foot and mouth disease.
The definitive map and statement
Suffolk County Council is responsible for preparing and
reviewing the definitive map and statement. Anyone may ask for the
definitive map and statement to be amended if they have grounds for
claiming that it is inaccurate. Follow this link for
more information about the
definitive map and statement (new
window).
Signposting and waymarking
Suffolk County Council is responsible for signing routes. It
also provides waymarks along routes to help the public keep to the
correct line.
Stiles and gates
Structures may be provided on routes for the control of animals
and for highway safety, but only if they are first authorised by
Suffolk County Council.
Parish Paths Partnership
This scheme involves parishes in looking after their local
rights of way, and is managed by Suffolk County Council.
Long distance routes
Parts of the district are within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Suffolk Coast & Heaths Unit (new window)
promotes several recreational routes, including the Suffolk Coast
& Heaths Path, the Sandlings Walk and the Suffolk Coastal Cycle
Route. Maps showing these routes and others in the district can be
purchased from Tourist Information Centres at Felixstowe,
Woodbridge and Aldeburgh.