Public rights of way

Welcome to the Suffolk County Council Public Rights of Way Homepage.

There are approximately 9800 registered public rights of way in Suffolk, adding up to 5300km, almost as long as all the public roads in the county. Suffolk has much to offer including varied landscapes, from woodland to wetlands, not forgetting the essential contribution of agriculture.

There are five basic types of Public Right of Way:
  • Public Footpath – The public has a right to pass and repass on foot and they may take a pram, pushchair or dog.
  • Bridleway – The public has a right to pass and repass on foot, on horseback and on a pedal cycle.
  • Road Used as a Public Path (RUPP) – The public has a right to pass and repass on foot, on horseback and on a pedal cycle. Public vehicular rights may exist but are not proven.
  • Restricted Byways – Under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 all RUPPs will be re-classified as Restricted Byways unless they carry full vehicular rights. The public has a right of way on foot, on horseback or leading a horse, or for vehicles other than mechanically propelled vehicles.
  • Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT) – The public has the right to pass and repass on foot, horseback, pedal cycle or with a vehicle but the route is mainly used by pedestrians and/or horses.
Changing paths
Making changes to public rights of way - frequently asked questions
Definitive Map Modification Order register
Register of applications made under section 53 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to modify the Definitive map or Statement.
Discover Suffolk
About the new Discover Suffolk website providing access to a range of events, recreation and tourism information in Suffolk
Easy access to Suffolk's countryside
Ideas for how everyone can enjoy Suffolk's countryside
Land Manager Information
Information about the management of public rights of way
Online forms and guidance
Online forms and guidance to view or print
Open Access - frequently asked questions
Some common questions and answers about using open access land.
Open Access in Suffolk
Your rights and responsibilities on open access land in Suffolk.
Public rights of way
Protecting and maintaining public rights of way.
Public Rights of Way - The Definitive Map
Suffolk County Council has a statutory responsibility to maintain and update the Definitive Map on which all public rights of way are recorded.
Rights and responsibilities
General rights and responsibilities in the countryside
Rights of Way Improvement Plan
Information about the Rights of Way Improvement Plan.
Rights Of Way Improvement Plan - Assessment report
Have your say about access to the countryside.
Rights of Way publications
Rights of Way publications produced by Suffolk County Council.
Roads - enforcement
Protecting the rights of the public to use the road and footpath network without interference.
Statement and Statutory Declaration register
The register of Statement and Statutory Declaration deposits made under Section 31(6) Highways Act 1980.
Useful links
Useful links to external web sites.
Who to contact
Contact addresses, email, telephone and fax numbers for Public Rights of Way
Who we are and what we do
Who we are and what our duties are in relation to public rights of way.