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Why riverside rights of way need our care

The UK’s rivers, streams, canals and lakes are magnets for walkers, riders and cyclists. Many public footpaths and bridleways follow a towpath, cross a bridge or run along a riverbank. That access is a privilege shaped by law, land management and the needs of wildlife. Understanding what you may do — and what you may not — helps keep these routes open and protects the fragile habitats beside the water.

Footpaths, bridleways and byways: what you may do

In England and Wales, public rights of way are recorded on the definitive map held by the local authority. The map is the legal record, even if a path is not obvious on the ground. In Scotland, access rights are broader under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, but the principles of responsible access are similar. The main types are:

• Footpath: walking only. Cycling, horse riding or driving a vehicle is not allowed unless there is a separate permission.
• Bridleway: walking, horse riding and cycling. Cyclists must give way to walkers and horses.
• Restricted byway: walking, horse riding, cycling and horse-drawn vehicles. No motor vehicles.
• Byway open to all traffic: motor vehicles may use it, but many are unsurfaced and unsuitable for cars.

Always check the signage at the point where you join the path. A waymark disc often uses a yellow arrow for a footpath, a blue arrow for a bridleway and a red arrow for a byway. Colours and symbols can vary, so read the key on your map and trust the local signs.

Reading the map and the ground

Use an up-to-date map and compare it with what you see. A riverside path may be shown as a dashed line, but the actual route can be diverted around a washed-out bank or a new bridge. Look for gates, stiles, steps and bridges that confirm you are on the right line. At a river crossing, a bridge may form part of the right of way; stepping stones or a ford may be permissive only, and can become dangerous after rain. If a path enters water or a bank looks undercut, turn back rather than risk a fall. Never assume a path continues just because it did on an old map.

Temporary closures and diversions

Paths beside water are sometimes closed temporarily. This can be for flood damage, bank repair, tree safety, livestock management or to protect wildlife during nesting or spawning season. A closure or diversion should be advertised on site. Even if the path looks passable, please follow the official route. Temporary closures are not there to spoil your day; they protect both people and sensitive habitats such as kingfisher nest banks, otter holts and water vole burrows.

• Check the local authority’s rights of way pages or parish noticeboards before you travel.
• Respect barriers, signs and locked gates. Do not move them or climb over them unless there is a lawful stile.
• Keep dogs under close control, and on a lead if a closure or wildlife notice asks you to.
• Report missing, damaged or confusing signs to the local authority’s countryside access team.

Riverbank etiquette and wildlife

Staying on the path is the simplest way to protect the bank. Riverside soils are easily eroded, and repeated trampling can collapse burrows and destroy plants that filter run-off. Keep dogs from entering the water where fish spawn or where birds nest. If you wild swim, remember that a public right of way does not automatically give a right to swim; check local byelaws and signage. Help stop the spread of invasive species by cleaning boots, tyres and kit before you leave — check, clean, dry. Take all litter home, including bait and picnic scraps, and never light fires on peaty or dry banks.

If something is wrong: reporting and next steps

If a path is blocked by a fallen tree, an overgrown hedge or a locked gate, report it to the local authority. They have a duty to keep public rights of way open and will usually contact the landowner. If a bridge is unsafe, keep away and report it immediately. For livestock, give cattle and horses plenty of space, and if you feel threatened, let your dog go rather than be dragged. Finally, remember that access near water is a shared responsibility. Follow signs, use gates properly, and leave the riverbank as you found it — so the next walker, rider or cyclist can enjoy it too.