Public rights of way

TR4: Public rights of way 1. Development will be required to: a) Protect and enhance public rights of way to ensure the integrity and connectivity of this network is maintained. b) Ensure the safe and convenient use and enjoyment of existing public rights of way, such as footpaths, bridleways and restricted byways, is maintained. c) Upgrade existing permissive path to bridleway, where agreements are in place at the time of the commencement of the local plan. d) Avoid unacceptable harm to the efficient operation of public rights of way. 2. Proposals should accommodate existing access routes on their original alignment through green corridors. If diversions are required to enable a proposal to come forward, this will only be supported if the safety and convenience of the route is of similar or greater merit than the existing. 3. Proposals should seek to upgrade the status and improve the connectivity of public rights of way to maximise sustainable transport networks, where necessary, to allow additional use by cyclists. 4. New routes used for active travel, both on- and off-site, should be upgraded to adoptable standard to support increased use, providing an attractive travel choice. They should be safe by design and, within new developments, overlooked by active frontages. 7.316 As of June 2025, there are 2,084 miles of public rights of way in Buckinghamshire which form the primary means by which residents and visitors access the countryside, but also schools and workplaces. Management of the network is guided by the Buckinghamshire Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2020-2030, which acknowledges the network’s critical role in the rural economy. 7.317 Public rights of way are complimentary to the footway and cycleway network for walking and cycling which will contribute to the delivery of the Buckinghamshire Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). 7.318 The Local Plan will seek to protect this resource and ensure improvements or enhancements are secured through the planning process to encourage active travel by new residents and discourage short journeys by car. 7.319 The protection and conservation of public rights of way need to be reconciled with the benefits of new development, to maximise the opportunity to form links from the development to the wider public rights of way network, public transport, recreational facilities and green infrastructure. 7.320 When delivering sustainable transport solutions, there may be instances where it is necessary to upgrade public rights of way as an alternative to the highway network. For example, to upgrade part of a public footpath to public bridleway or cycleway. 7.321 Any changes to a public right of way will require a separate legal process, either under s257 Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended by subsequent legislation) if impacted directly by a development’s footprint or otherwise under s119 Highways Act 1980 (as amended by subsequent legislation). The diverted route should be of similar or greater merit than the existing.