Reporting Problems on Public Rights of Way
Problems reported to our section are varied, the sort of obstructions or hazards you may find on your travels could be related to any of the following:
- Vegetation
- Ploughed paths and growing crops
- Gates and stiles
- Bridges
- Bulls
- Widths of rights of way
- Obstructions
- Misleading signs
- Intimidation and nuisance
- Electric fences
- Prevented from crossing land
Reporting fly tipping and anti social behaviour
Rubbish, and fly tipping on public rights of way is dealt with by your local District, City, or Borough Council, so please report the problem direct to them. Antisocial behaviour on paths, such as unauthorised use by motorbikes or quadbikes should be reported to the police. Although this is a recognised problem on the rights of way network, we have no specific powers to take enforcement action against offenders.Information Required
To help us investigate your problem please provide us with as much information as possible:- Your contact details.
- Location of where the problem was found (Parish, District, description of route, grid reference, etc) - see our online mapping for help.
- Type of path (footpath, bridleway, byway and Definitive Map number if known).
- The date, type and description of problem found.
- Landowner details (if known).
- Map showing location of the problem.
- Photographs of the problem found (if any available).
How to Report a Problem
Contact the Area Officer by telephone, letter, e-mail or on-line.Telephone and E-mail
Kevin Telford – North Durham Area Officer (North) - 0191 383 4536
Esther Gray – East Durham Area Officer (East) - 0191 383 4536
Owen Shaw– South East Durham Area Ofiicer (South East) - 0191 383 3452
Michelle Nolan - Central Durham Area Officer (Central) - 0191 383 3381
Nick Hall – North West Durham Area Officer (North West) - 0191 383 4086
Leigh Coulson – West Durham Area Officer (West) - 0191 383 4452
Mike Murden – South West Durham Area Officer (South West) - 0191 383 3381
Letter
Access & Rights of Way SectionCountryside Group
Environment
Durham County Council
County Hall
Durham
DH1 5UQ
e-mail address
prow@durham.gov.ukOnline
Report a problem on-line.Two schemes that make a big difference to the Public Rights of Way network in the County Durham area are the Voluntary Rangers and the Parish Paths Partnership
If you are a regular walker, interested in the condition of Public Rights of Way in your area, perhaps you would like to play a more active role and be interested in joining our Voluntary Rangers as an adopt-a-path warden or part of the work parties
Do you have ideas or are you interested in improving Public Rights of Way in your area and would like to organise and run your own works programs then perhaps you will be interested in theParish Paths Partnership (P3).
Reporting problems on footways or pavements
If you need to report a problem on a footway or pavement please see the advice given on the Highways Action Line (HAL) web page or telephone 0191 3706000.
