Essex County Council
Essex Highways, Safer, Greener, Healthier

Public Rights of Way

There are almost four thousand miles of Public Rights of Way in Essex, comprising footpaths, bridleways and byways.

We have a statutory duty to record and keep public rights of way open.

Our team providing this service comprise of the Definitive Map and Records team, the Localism, Liaison and Enforcement teams, the Inspection team and the Operations and Delivery team. We all work together to assert and protect your public rights of way network. 

Use these pages to find out more about the services we provide and the works that we undertake.

About Public Rights of Way
About Public Rights of Way in Essex. Includes user responsibility and types of rights of way.
Byways in Essex
Find out more about byways in Essex.
Essex User Group Meetings
The PRoW User Group meets three times a year, at County Hall. It is a forum for all classes of user and representatives of their various organisations, aimed particularly at addressing specific issues across the rights of way network as highlighted by the group members themselves.
Essex walks
We publish a number of guides to walks along public rights of way throughout the county. These guides are made available as downloads, free of charge.
Gates and stiles
Gates, stiles and similar structures on paths are the means by which the public can cross fencing, hedges or walls. They are deemed to be an obstruction unless authorised, find out more about applying for gates and stiles.
Landowner Deposits (s31 HA80)
Find out more about Landowner Deposits (made under Section 31(6) of the Highways Act 1980)
Level crossing proposals
Find out more about Network Rail's proposals to manage the possible closure or change of use of around 130 level crossings in Anglia across Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Essex, Havering, Hertfordshire, Southend and Thurrock.
Our works
We have dedicated specialist teams that work on our PROW network who are skilled in working in the countryside. Their work is produced by our PROW Inspection team who answer your enquiries and conduct condition surveys of the network.
PRoW Interactive Map
Find out more about the locations of the Essex Public Rights of Way by using the interactive map
Public Path Notices
View the Public Path Notices regarding changes and restrictions on the Public Rights of Way in Essex
Public Rights Of Way User Satisfaction Survey
Please provide us with some feedback about your use of the Public Rights of Way network
Rights and responsibilities
Essex Highways carries out a number of actions to ensure that Public Rights of Way are kept in good order.
Temporary diversions and prohibitions
About temporary closures or diversions in Essex including why it may be needed and how to apply for a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order
Vegetation cutting
Vegetation cutting of the natural seasonal upgrowth on our PRoW network is undertaken between April and October, find out more
Volunteering
Find out about Public Rights of Way in Essex and information on joining a local Public Rights of Way volunteer group.