Restricted byways
Sections
47-51 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 introduced a new
category of right of way called 'restricted byway'. Restricted byways have a right of way on foot, on horseback or leading a horse, and for vehicles other than mechanically propelled vehicles.
All ways formerly shown on local authorities' definitive maps and statements as Roads Used as Public Paths (RUPPs) are now restricted byways. Also this new category of right of way has been used to give effect to provisions in Part 6 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act that curtail claims for mechanically propelled vehicle rights. This is achieved by enabling rights of way for vehicles to be recorded as restricted byways, rather than byways open to all traffic, in cases where rights for mechanically propelled vehicles have been extinguished or the rights have been acquired by non-mechanically propelled vehicles.
The regulations necessary to implement the restricted byway provisions were brought into force on the 2 May 2006. Guidance on these provisions.
Page last modified:
17 December 2007
Page published: 17 July 2001