Rights of Way: Stiles, gates, bridges and culverts

Stiles and gates on footpaths and bridleways

The landowner is responsible for making sure that any stiles and gates are kept in a good state of repair. We have a duty to make sure that landowners do this and to offer a grant of 25% towards repairing or replacing gates and stiles.

We have a discretionary power to extend this grant and will usually provide the gate or stile at no cost to the landowner. Our 'least restrictive' principle means that we would usually only provide materials for a stile, but may be able to offer more assistance with the installation of a gate.

If the occupier of the land wishes to install more stiles or gates on footpaths or bridleways, they must apply to us in writing for permission. Erecting stiles or gates without this permission is a criminal offence. We can only authorise new gates that are required for stock control purposes along footpaths or bridleways, not stiles. Stiles and additional gates cannot be erected on 'restricted byways' or 'byways open to all traffic'.

Bridges and culverts on footpaths and bridleways

We share responsibility for the repair and maintenance of bridges and culverts with landowners and our exact responsibilities are different in each case. We are responsible for most footbridges, but where a public footpath or bridleway crosses a bridge with private vehicular rights, the maintenance of the bridge to allow vehicles is likely to be the responsibility of the landowner. We may agree to share the responsibility for maintenance in some cases.

The rail authority is responsible for the structure of most footbridges over railway lines, whilst British Waterways is responsible for the structure of all bridges over the canal network. We are responsible for the surfaces of the paths over these bridges.