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.