Rights of Way - Parish

Overview

Surrey County Council is responsible for around 2164 miles (3482 km) of public rights of way. These paths are both in the countryside and urban areas. They are important for enjoying and exploring, for travelling to work or school and for health and wellbeing. They are part of what makes Surrey a special place to live, work and enjoy.

A public right of way is a path that anyone, by law, has the right to use. There are four types:

• Footpaths for walking, mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs
• Bridleways for walking, horse riding, cycling, mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs
• Restricted byways for walking, horse riding, cycling, mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs and horse-drawn carriages
• Byways for all modes including motorised vehicles

Every council that is responsible for public rights of way must have a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP). This sets out how public rights of way meet the needs of the public, now and in the future. Our current Rights of Way Improvement Plan dates from 2014 and needs to be reviewed.

Why your views matter

Your council’s views will help us to make sure that our new Rights of Way Improvement Plan meets the needs of everyone in Surrey.

Your feedback will help to develop the priorities and actions of the new Rights of Way Improvement Plan, which will be produced in 2024. Once the new Rights of Way Improvement Plan has been finalised and approved by the council it will be published on Surrey County Council’s website.

Please complete our survey by time date the 10th March 2024.

Please only submit one official response for your council.

If you wish to respond as an individual, please visit  https://www.surreysays.co.uk/environment-and-infrastructure/rowip-public for our public survey. This also closes on 10th March 2024.

The process of producing the new ROWIP is being supported by an external consultant. If you need to discuss the process of preparing the new ROWIP please contact sccrowip@blackwoodbayne.co.uk. Alternatively, please contact Surrey County Council at sccrowip@surreycc.gov.uk or on 0300 200 1003.

This survey is to support the Improvement Plan only. If you want to report an issue on a public right of way please click on this link: Contact us or report an issue on a Right of Way - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk) or call 0300 200 1003.

We are committed to protecting your privacy when you use any of our services. Our Privacy Notices explains how we use the information about you and how we protect your privacy: Countryside Access Team - Privacy Notice - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)