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Rights Of Way In Dorset

(page updated 19/07/2012)

There are almost 3,000 miles of public ROWs (rights of way) in Dorset, made up of approximately 4,700 footpaths, 1,700 bridleways and 37 byways open to all traffic. Responsibility for maintenance of ROWs is divided between local authorities and landowners/occupiers. You can find out more about ROWS from  from http://www.dorsetforyou.com/footpaths. The purpose of this page is to provide further information that can be of use to both Ramblers and other ROW users.

Although ROWS are shown by ordinance survey maps changes do occur and it can take time i.e. years for update to be applied and revised maps  to be published. The http://explorer.geowessex.com/ web site provides online access to mapping data that could be more up to date than what is available on maps.

Unless you know which local authority in Dorset is responsible for a ROW it is best to report a problem to the Dorset County Council team and let them identify which team should handle the problem.

What To Report ?

Blocked ROWs, broken ROW furniture (stiles gates, signposts, bridges etc), damaged/faded way-marks, exposed barbed wire across stiles are typical reported problems found on ROWs plus ROWs are sometimes affected by fly tipping. 

When Reporting ROW Problems

Do

• Include the date when you observed the problem. 
• Give as many grid references/distances as necessary to explain the problem if its not just at one point.
• Say which map issue or definitive map copy you used to check your information.
• Offer digital pictures if you have any of the problem.

Reporting ROW Problems In Dorset Online

 The  online method for reporting footpath problems in Dorset has been revised to make better use of interactive maps facilities when identifying the location of problems and further refinements are being considered. The following tips may help you make best use of the facility.

• The initial stage asks for a post code, village/town name or 6 by 6 digit grid reference to start with. Although it is possible to bypass this stage and 'drill down' using zoom facilities this can be hard hard work. If you have a 2 alpha 6 digit grid reference from a OS map, the Coordinate Translator (under the 2 arrow icon) on http://explorer.geowessex.com/  can be used to translate "British National Grid - Alphanumeric" to 6 by 6 digit British National Grid references.
• The second stage is the interactive map part and you will probably have to select the panning button to get a mouse curser that will allow the map to be moved to show the ROW you need and then the zoom in/out tools to get the best picture.
• The 4th tool in the interactive map stage is the marker one which only allows you to mark one spot on a ROW shown by the interactive map. If the problem being reported extends over a length of a ROW mark at start point that makes it easy to say something like "from the marked point and for 300 meters East the path was ....". If you are reporting a discrepancy between what is shown on the interactive map and what you found when using a ROW again mark a point that makes it easy to describe what you found.
• The third stage allows you to include a textual description of the problem, your contact details and if know landowner information. For complex problems it is worth typing the text in notepad, word or a similar tool then pasting it in. Including the date you observed the problem in the description could be helpful to both you and the ROW team.
• On submitting a problem report the confirmation text will include a reference number (e.g. MNT12345). It is best to make a note of this (possibly by e-mailing it to yourself if you don't have paper to hand).

The online reporting does not allow for attachments so if you have ROW problem to report and you want to include a photo or sketch map it would be better to report the problem and then use   to send an attachment remembering to quote the problem reference.

If you are interested in ROWs within the borough of Poole there is a .pdf map that can be accessed here.

Rights of Way In Adjacent Counties

If you stray over the border into Hampshire their county council has a Online map page. 

The equivalent page for Devon is here and for Somerset is here

For Wiltshire you can find ROW information via their walking and cycling page.

Walking On Other Than Rights of Way

There is public access to many pieces of Forestry Commission land in Dorset and nearby counties plus there are natural trust properties.  For problems in such areas the first point of contact should be the local/area office. http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/HCOU-4U4HZV could be a goo dplace to start for Forestry Commission land and http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-contact_us/w-contact_us-regional_offices.htm for National Trust offices.

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