If the footpath is tarmacked, paved or has street lighting then it would normally be classified as a pavement. This is the responsibility of the council's Highway Maintenance Section. In this case, should you have any concerns you should telephone the Street Care help desk 01454 868000. In general our paths are unsurfaced tracks in the countryside, passing over land that the council does not own. A right of way is a path over which you may pass and repass unhindered. How you travel along the path depends on the status of the path.
Footpath
You may walk along a footpath or use a wheelchair or pram, although the surface is not normally suitable for this. Riding a bicycle or horse is not permitted.
Bridleway
You may ride or lead a horse or ride a bicycle along a bridleway. You may also walk along a bridleway. Driving a vehicle along a bridleway is not permitted, even if it is horsedrawn.
By-way open to all traffic
Often referred to as a by-way or BOAT, it is a highway that is used by the public mainly for walking, riding horses or cycling, but over which there is also a right to use any kind of wheeled vehicle -whether it is a horse-drawn vehicle or motor vehicle.
Restricted by-ways
Formerly known as RUPPs (roads used as public paths), the traffic entitled to use these depends on the legal history of the path and will usually be at least the same as the traffic entitled to use a bridleway. In many cases public vehicular rights may exist.
RUPPs have been reclassified as 'restricted by-ways' under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act of 2000. This means that the rights along them are the same as for a bridleway, plus a right to take a horse-drawn carriage, along with any pre-existing private vehicular rights.