Public rights of way

A public right of way is a highway over which the public have a right of access along a linear route. The nature of the right determines the type of way, which can be either - 

Public footpaths: over which the right of way is on foot or in an invalid carriage only

Public bridleways: over which the right of way is on foot, in an invalid carriage, on a bicycle or on horseback.

Byway open to all traffic (BOAT): over which the right of way is for vehicles and all other kinds of user, but is normally used by walkers and horse riders.

Restricted byway: The public have a right of way on foot, on horseback, on a bicycle and be able to use a horse drawn carriage.

On rights of way you can -

• take a pram, pushchair, or wheelchair, but expect to encounter stiles on footpaths
• take a dog under close control but be aware that there may be no path way for dogs at stiles
• take a short alternative route around an illegal obstruction
• move an illegal obstruction sufficiently to get past

We are responsible for the public rights of way and bridleways within the Hull City Council boundary. This consists of -

• responsibility for the maintenance of the public rights of way (including cycle ways, foot bridges, footpaths, bridleways and pedestrian crossings) and bridleways
• updating definitive maps with all new public rights of way/changes to existing public rights of way and updates to the bridleways

You can view these maps by visiting our offices at Kingston House. Copies can be taken away and a small charge will be made for this.

Rights of way improvement plan 2009 - 2019

Hull City Council is working with a range of partners and landowners including the Environment Agency, the Rivers Authority, Associated British Ports, the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, the Ramblers Association, and consultations were held with local people in Hull, as part of the council’s Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

Over the next ten years, a wide range of improvements will be carried out such as –

• making sure all public rights of way are correctly and clearly signposted
• removing all obstacles or obstructions which may be blocking public access to the routes
• improving disabled access wherever possible
• maintaining and improving the path surfaces, and trim back overgrowing vegetation or overhanging trees, to improve safety for all users
• providing information and interpretation boards on selected routes - like those already in place at Victoria Dock, which tell of the unique maritime history of the area
• producing a public rights of way map for people to use, and giving more information about rights of way through the Hull City Council website
• promoting the health benefits of walking and cycling on the routes as a way of keeping fit and improving well-being

We will be carrying out a full inspection and audit of every public right of way in Hull to find out where improvement work is most needed.

The improvement plan was developed through consultation involving members of the joint local access forum for Hull and East Yorkshire, statutory consultees, members of the public and other interested parties. This included our overview and scrutiny management commission, public rights of way task and finish group.

Find out more about the joint local access forum (link opens in a new window)

The full improvement plan is available to download below -

The rights of way improvement plan refers to appendix B, which are comments on the right of way improvement plan and consultation feedback. This is available to download below -

Contact us

Highways and open spaces asset manager
Hull City Council
Kingston House
Bond Street
Hull
HU1 3ER

Tel: 01482 300 300
Text phone: 01482 300 349
Fax: 01482 612 424
Email: hdc@hullcc.gov.uk