Rights of Way Access Plan - Public Survey

Overview

East Sussex County Council is responsible for around 2,000 miles (3218 km) of public rights of way. These paths are both in the countryside and urban areas. They are important for enjoying and exploring, for travelling to work or school and for health and wellbeing. They are part of what makes East Sussex a special place to live, work and enjoy.

A public right of way is a path that anyone, by law, has the right to use. There are four types:

• Footpaths for walking, mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs
• Bridleways for walking, horse riding, cycling, mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs
• Restricted byways for walking, horse riding, cycling, mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs and horse-drawn carriages
• Byways for all modes including motorised vehicles

Every council that is responsible for public rights of way must have a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP). This sets out how public rights of way meet the needs of the public, now and in the future. Our current Rights of Way Improvement Plan dates from 2007 and needs to be reviewed.  The new plan will be called the Rights of Way Access Plan.

Why your views matter

Your views will help us to make sure that our new Rights of Way Access Plan meets the needs of everyone in East Sussex.

If you use public rights of way, we’d like to know about your experience and how important they are for you.

If you don’t use public rights of way, we’d like to know what prevents you and what, if anything, we can do to support you in using them.

Your feedback will help to develop the priorities and actions of the new Rights of Way Access Plan, which will be produced in 2025. Once the Plan has been finalised and approved by the council it will be published on East Sussex County Council’s website.

Please complete our survey by the 14th March 2025.

The process of producing the new Rights of Way Access Plan is being supported by an external consultant. If you need to discuss the process please contact esccrowap@blackwoodbayne.co.uk. Alternatively, please contact East Sussex County Council at ESCCRoWAP@eastsussex.gov.uk or on 0345 60 80 193.

This survey is to support the Rights of Way Access Plan only. If you want to report an issue on a public right of way please click on this link: report an issue or call 0345 60 80 193.

We are committed to protecting your privacy when you use any of our services. Our Privacy Notices explains how we use the information about you and how we protect your privacy: Rights of Way and Countryside Team - Privacy Notice - East Sussex County Council