Public Rights of Way can often be on private tracks to property or fields.
While Public Rights of Way are protected and accessible to all, in most cases the surrounding land will be privately owned, often working farmland. The landowner may have private access rights, such as the right to use a tractor to access fields or by car to get to property.
Norfolk County Council does not deal with private rights unless there is conflict with a Public Right of Way.
Queries about private rights should be addressed to a solicitor.
If the access to a property is also a Public Right of Way, we may have some responsibility for its repair, but will only maintain it for the public use i.e. we cannot keep a track maintained to a suitable condition for vehicles if the public is only entitled to use it on foot or with horses.
Note - if other vehicles use the track, for example to collect the rubbish, this is still private use to provide a service to the property.
Those who need to use the track by vehicle will be responsible for maintaining the route to meet that need.
Some improvement works may need planning permission and the surface material will need to be suitable for the public use, for example horses can slip on tarmac surfaces.
You should consult us before carrying out any works on Public Rights of Way.