Whilst the overall responsibility to ensure public rights of way are available for the use and enjoyment of the public rests with us as Highway Authority, responsibilities are divided between us and the landowners and occupiers.

We are responsible for:

• signposting paths where they leave a metalled road
• waymarking along the route of paths
• clearance of undergrowth i.e. natural vegetation growing through the path surface
• maintenance of most bridges and ditch crossings
• ensuring landowners and occupiers comply with their responsibilities

Landowners and occupiers are responsible for:

• maintenance of stiles and gates
• clearance of overgrowth i.e. vegetation growing from the sides or above
• re-instatement of paths after ploughing
• keeping paths clear of crops
• making sure they don't obstruct paths in other ways

Necessary work is carried out through a number of different work programmes including general maintenance and improvement, larger scale projects (such as large bridges, or drainage and surfacing work) and partnerships with local volunteers and parish councils. 

Some of the work is done in response to problems reported by the public and some through planned programmes such as the summer strimming or signposting programmes.

Apart from work undertaken by the Council's contractors, many problems, particularly lower priorities, are resolved by local Parish Paths Wardens and other volunteers.

Most landowners and occupiers carry out their responsibilities without contact or action by us. Occasionally, however, some landowners or occupiers fail to comply with their statutory duties and we are required to resolve the matter.

Normally this is achieved through co-operation but, if necessary, we will serve legal notice, take direct action to clear an obstruction and/or consider prosecution.

Given the extensive network of paths in the county, and the different uses made of them, some paths have different maintenance needs from others. 

For example, a path regularly used by families, perhaps with pushchairs, to access the village school, will probably require a level, tarmacked surface, strimming of undergrowth if necessary during the summer months, be free of stiles and require prompt response to any problems that arise. 

On the other hand, a footpath in a remote rural location is more likely to be visited by more experienced walkers who are competent map readers, able to climb stiles as well as cope with some undergrowth and, thus, maintenance standards may not need to be so high or dealt with so quickly.

Consequently, following extensive consultation with parish councils, local parish paths warden volunteers, user groups and land management groups, each path in the county has been allocated a classification (A, B,C or D), not dissimilar to the classification of roads. 

Allocated classifications reflect the level and type of use and hence the needs of communities and other users. Path classifications can be seen on the public rights of way map.

The classification allocated to a path is, of course, not necessarily fixed forever. If it is felt that the classification needs to be amended due to changing use, and perhaps suggestion from a parish council or users, then this can be done.

Across the whole network of paths in the county, we have several thousand problems to tackle each year, whether reported by the public or identified by officers. 

Given this volume, problems need to be prioritised and this is determined by considering the path classification, referred to above, alongside the severity of the problem and its impact on path users. 

Taking account of the path classification and problem severity, the Public Rights of Way Team allocates a priority between 1 and 6 to each identified problem or issue.

Problems are normally addressed in order of priority. For example, a Priority 1 will be inspected and fixed, made safe or, if necessary, temporarily closed, as a matter of urgency. 

Other priority problems are also generally dealt with in order of their priority although it often makes sense to include some lower priority work with higher priority work in the same locality.

The following are the different types of types and the signs you can follow to make sure you're on the right one:

• footpaths - indicated by yellow arrows; for use by walkers only

• bridleways – indicated by blue arrows; for use by walkers, horse-riders and pedal cyclists

• restricted byways – indicated by purple arrows; for use by walkers, pedal cyclists, horse-riders and horse drawn vehicles

• byways open to all traffic (BOATs) – indicated by red arrows; for use by walkers, pedal cyclists, horse-riders, horse-drawn vehicles and motor vehicles

Download a list of all Byways in the county

The Definitive Map and Statement (DMS) for Worcestershire dates from the 1950s and was created under the terms of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

It was published after consultation between us, parish and district councils, landowners and members of the public and today forms a legal record of the public rights – footpaths, bridleways, byways and restricted byways – that exist in the County of Worcestershire. 

The Definitive Map shows the routes of public rights of way and the Definitive Statement provides a written record of each route.

The DMS comprise a very important document. If a route is shown on the DMS then that is legal – conclusive – evidence that the public have those rights and retain them still, unless there has been a legally authorised change.

Viewing the Definitive Map and Statement (DMS)

The current DMS was published on 31st March 2005 and is evidence that the public rights of way shown on it existed on that date. It can be viewed at The Countryside Centre, Worcester Woods, and copies covering the individual districts can be seen at their relevant contact centres. 

If you wish to view the DMS at The Countryside Centre then please contact the Countryside Service to make an appointment first. Also, each parish council, and some local libraries, has a copy of the maps covering their parish.