Widths of public rights of way
There is no set legal width for public paths, unless it’s listed in the Statement that goes with the Definitive Map. This doesn’t apply to land affected by ploughing or cultivation.
The width of a public path is usually based on what people have regularly used. If there’s no other evidence, a footpath should be wide enough for two people to pass each other. A bridleway should be wide enough for two horses to pass.
If a path runs between long-standing boundaries such as banks, old hedges or walls, it's usually assumed the public right of way covers the full space between them.
The Rights of Way Act 1990 deals with crops and overhanging vegetation.
The Rights of Way Act 1990 sets rules for the minimum and maximum widths of headland paths on farmland and for putting back cross-field paths after ploughing or planting. These rules do not replace any wider paths listed in the Definitive Statement and are not a standard for all rights of way.
Under the Act, landowners must not plough headland paths and must keep them at least 1.5 metres wide for footpaths and 3 metres for bridleways. Cross-field paths can be ploughed, but the path must be made clear again within 14 days. When putting back cross-field paths, they must be at least 1 metre wide for footpaths and 2 metres for bridleways.
