Public Rights of Way
Public Rights of Way are paths for walkers, cyclists and
horseriders. Like a public road, a public right of way is a highway
which anybody may use at any time. Public Rights of Way
are maintained and administered by Kent County Council's
Public Rights of Way Office. There are four categories of Public
Right of Way: footpaths, bridleways, Byways Open to All Traffic
(BOAT) and restricted byways. To find out more, who to contact and
to report a problem visit the
Kent County Council Public Rights of Way webpage.
Footpaths
Walking has a huge number of benefits - for individuals, for the
environment, and for the road network. More of us walking will mean
a healthier population, less crowded roads, and less pollution from
traffic. It will also increase road safety.
Kent County Council are working hard to encourage people to
travel by foot - to find out more visit the
Kent County Council website.
We deal with permanent diversions of footpaths where
planning permission has been granted, by us, for development to be
carried out. The planning permission is usually granted for an
extension to a property, or for a housing development to be built.
The relevant footpath can only be diverted if it is directly
affected by the development and is diverted under the Town &
Country Planning Act 1990. For more information contact
us on 01233 330476.
Applications for footpaths to be diverted that are in the
interest of the owner, lessee or occupier of land crossed by a
footpath or if in the interest of the public. This type of footpath
diversion is carried out under the Highways Act 1980 and the new
route should not be less convenient to the public. Kent County
Council at Maidstone deal with this type of diversion and can be
contacted on 08458 247 247 (Kent County Council Definitive Map
team).
For futher information on walking for leisure, view our
Walking and Rambling webpage.
Cycleroutes
Good progress has been made towards building a network of
cycleroutes in Ashford in recent years. As Ashford grows there is
the opportunity to create better and more attractive cycle
routes.
Many new housing developments are within approximately 2
miles of the town centre, a proximity that is ideal for
cycling and can offer a genuine travel choice.
Considerable improvements to town centre connections will link
the town to new housing developments, encouraging greater
access to the countryside and open green spaces.
The routes available are safe and attractive, and plans are
being developed to provide safe bicycle parking facilities.
For further information on cycling for leisure view our
Cycling webpage or
visit the
Kent County Council Website for information on travelling
by bike or on foot. Cycleroutes are maintained by Kent Council and
you can report any faults with them via their Report a Fault
facility.
A New Cycling Strategy
A Cycling Strategy for Ashford, setting out
proposals for new cycle routes to connect up the network and extend
it into the development areas, is currently under preparation by
Kent County Council and is expected in 2008.
Other transport strategies are available on the
Best Placed website.
This webpage was updated on
3/1/2010