UK Act of Parliament
2000
United Kingdom
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
19 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide
Penalty landscape
2 of 19 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 4 carry different penalties and 13 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 6
- Occupier 1
Plus 12 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
1 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Any Person also bound by 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 169 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 144 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 101 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 95 duties
Occupiers also bound by 259 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 2021 39 duties
- Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No. 2) Order 2006 2006 34 duties
- The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 1995 34 duties
- Highways Act 1980 1980 23 duties
- Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015 2015 18 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part I — Access to the countryside
Duty to prepare maps.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Natural England and Natural Resources Wales must map open country and common land Statutory regulator
Publication of draft maps.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Natural England must map open country and consider land-owner objections Statutory regulator
Maps in conclusive form.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Natural England must issue conclusive maps of public access land Statutory regulator
Review of maps (England)
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Natural England must review maps of open country and common land Statutory regulator
Review of maps (Wales).
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Natural Resources Wales must periodically review access maps Statutory regulator
Offence of displaying on access land notices deterring public use.
Fine up to £1,000- Display false or misleading notice on access land Any Person
Codes of conduct and other information.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Natural England and NRW must issue codes of conduct for access land Statutory regulator
Exclusion or restriction at discretion of owner and others.
Unlimited fine- Comply with restrictions when closing land to public access Any Person
Appeal by person interested in land.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Relevant authorities must provide reasons for refusing access directions Statutory regulator
Order to remove obstruction.
Fine up to £1,000- Fail to remove obstruction after access order Any Person
Powers of entry for purposes of Part I.
Fine up to £500- Obstruct authorised entry under the Countryside Act Any Person
Compensation relating to powers under s. 40.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators must compensate for damage caused during land entry Statutory regulator
Crown application of Part I.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Part I of the Act applies to the Crown and its employees Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 36 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Principal definitions for Part I.
Rights of public in relation to access land.
Power to extend to coastal land : Wales.
Power to extend to coastal land etc : England
Appeal against map after confirmation.
Appeal procedure.
Power of Secretary of State or Assembly to delegate functions relating to appeals.
Regulations relating to maps.
Effect of right of access on rights and liabilities of owners.
Occupiers’ liability.
Rights of access under other enactments.
Dedication of land as access land.
Byelaws.
Wardens.
Notices indicating boundaries, etc.
Interpretation of Chapter II.
Restrictions on dogs at discretion of owner.
Land management.
Avoidance of risk of fire or of danger to the public.
Salt marshes and flats
Nature conservation and heritage preservation.
Directions by relevant authority: general.
Defence or national security.
Reference by relevant advisory body.
Exclusion or restriction of access in case of emergency.
Regulations relating to exclusion or restriction of access.
Guidance by countryside bodies to National Park authorities.
Interpretation of Chapter III.
Agreements with respect to means of access.
Failure to comply with agreement.
Provision of access by access authority in absence of agreement.
Appeals relating to notices.
References to public places in existing enactments.
Orders and regulations under Part I.
Interpretation of Part I.
Repeal of previous legislation, and amendments relating to Part I.
Part II — Public rights of way and road traffic
Rights of way improvement plans: supplemental.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local highway authorities must consult and publish rights of way plans Local authority
Power to order offender to remove obstruction.
Unlimited fine- Fail to comply with removal order for highway obstruction Any Person
Browse 24 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Redesignation of roads used as public paths.
Restricted byway rights.
Provisions supplementary to ss. 47 and 48.
Private rights over restricted byways.
Amendments relating to definitive maps and statements and restricted byways.
Restricted byways: power to amend existing legislation.
Extinguishment of unrecorded rights of way : England.
Excepted highways and rights of way : England.
Bridleway rights over ways shown as bridleways : England.
Cut-off date for extinguishment etc : England.
Creation, stopping up and diversion of highways.
Application for path creation order for purposes of Part I.
Effect of Part I on powers to stop up or divert highways.
Rights of way improvement plans.
Application of ss. 60 and 61 to inner London.
Enforcement of duty to prevent obstructions.
Overhanging vegetation obstructing horse-riders.
Making of traffic regulation orders for purposes of conserving natural beauty, etc.
Prohibition on driving mechanically propelled vehicles elsewhere than on roads.
Vehicular access across common land etc.
Erection or improvement of stiles, etc.
Minor amendments.
Reports on functions relating to rights of way.
Interpretation of Part II.
Part III — Nature conservation and wildlife protection
Browse 9 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
The Nature Conservancy Council for England: change of name.
Conservation of biological diversity.
Sites of special scientific interest.
Consequential amendments, transitional provisions and savings relating to s. 75.
Ramsar sites.
Limestone pavement orders: offence.
Payments under agreements under s.16 of 1949 Act or s.15 of 1968 Act.
Powers of entry.
Enforcement of wildlife legislation.
Part IV — Areas of outstanding natural beauty
Browse 14 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Designation of areas.
Procedure for designation orders.
Functions of certain bodies in relation to areas of outstanding natural beauty.
General duty of public bodies etc.
Establishment of conservation boards.
General purposes and powers.
Orders establishing conservation boards.
Management plans.
Supplementary provisions relating to management plans.
Duty of public bodies etc in relation to management plans
Grants to conservation boards.
Regulations under Part 4
Interpretation of Part IV and supplementary provision.
Consequential amendments and transitional provisions.
Part V — Miscellaneous and supplementary
Expenses.
Amended 1 timeRepeals.
Amended 5 timesBrowse 9 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Local access forums.
Local access forums: supplementary.
Management agreements.
Duty of public bodies etc. regarding the Broads.
Registration of town and village greens.
Wales.
Isles of Scilly.
Commencement.
Interpretation, short title and extent.
Schedules
Amendments relating to creation, stopping up and diversion of highways
- Apply to remove public footpaths or bridleways from your land Occupier
Amendments relating to Part I of Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
6 months imprisonment- Intentionally or recklessly disturb protected wild birds Any Person
Sites of special scientific interest
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Natural England must notify owners and occupiers of SSSI designations Statutory regulator
Areas of outstanding natural beauty: conservation boards
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must consult Natural England on board appointments Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 197 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Excepted land for purposes of Part I
Driving of mechanically propelled vehicles elsewhere than on roads
Amendments consequential on change of name of Nature Conservancy Council for England
Supplemental powers of conservation boards
Land on which the soil is being, or has at...
Land (other than coastal margin) within 20 metres of a...
Land covered by pens in use for the temporary reception...
Land (other than coastal margin) habitually used for the training...
Land the use of which is regulated by byelaws under...
Land which is coastal margin and is, or forms part...
Land which is coastal margin and is, or forms part...
Land which is coastal margin and is, or forms part...
Land which is coastal margin and— (a) is or forms...
(1) In this Schedule— “approved section of the English coastal...
In paragraph 5, the reference to the getting of minerals...
(1) Land is not to be treated as excepted land...
The land which is excepted land by virtue of paragraph...
Land which is habitually used for the training of racehorses...
Land covered by buildings or the curtilage of such land....
Land (other than coastal margin) within 20 metres of a...
Land used as a park or garden.
Land used for the getting of minerals by surface working...
Land used for the purposes of a railway (including a...
Land used for the purposes of a golf course, racecourse...
Land which does not fall within any of the preceding...
Land as respects which development which will result in the...
Restrictions to be observed by persons exercising right of access
(1) Section 2(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), section 2(1) does...
(1) In paragraph 1(k), “metal detector” means any device designed...
Regulations may amend paragraphs 1 and 2.
(1) During the period beginning with 1st March and ending...
Whatever the time of year, section 2(1) does not entitle...
In paragraphs 4 and 5, “short lead” means a lead...
(1) Whatever the time of year, section 2(1) does not...
(1) Section 2(1) does not entitle a person to be...
(1) The relevant authority may by direction, with the consent...
In relation to land to which a dedication under section...
Delegation of appellate functions
In this Schedule— “appointed person” means a person appointed under...
An appointment under section 8(1)(a) must be in writing and—...
Subject to the provisions of this Schedule, an appointed person...
(1) If either of the parties to an appeal or...
Subsections (2) to (5) of section 250 of the Local...
(1) Where under paragraph 2(c) the appointment of the appointed...
(1) Anything done or omitted to be done by an...
Minor and consequential amendments relating to Part I
In section 193(1) of the Law of Property Act 1925...
In section 9 of the Forestry Act 1967 (requirement of...
In section 52 of the Agriculture Act 1967 (control of...
In section 2(6) of the Countryside Act 1968 (Countryside Agency...
In section 9 of the Local Government Act 1974 (grants...
In paragraph 13(1) of Schedule 13 to the Wildlife and...
Definitive maps and statements and restricted byways
(1) Section 53 of the 1981 Act is amended as...
In Schedule 14 to that Act (applications for certain orders...
(1) Schedule 15 to that Act (procedure in connection with...
(1) Section 51 of the National Parks and Access to...
(1) Section 57 of that Act (penalty for displaying on...
In section 41(11) of the Countryside Act 1968 (power to...
In section 116 of the 1980 Act (power of magistrates’...
In section 329 of the 1980 Act (interpretation)—
In section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order...
After section 53 of that Act there is inserted— Power...
(1) Until the coming into force of section 47(1) of...
After section 54 of that Act there is inserted— BOATs...
In section 55 of that Act (no further surveys or...
(1) Section 56 of that Act (effect of definitive map...
(1) Section 57 of that Act (supplementary provisions as to...
After section 57 of that Act there is inserted— Consolidation...
In section 66(1) of that Act (interpretation of Part III)...
In section 26 of the 1980 Act (compulsory powers for...
After section 119 of the 1980 Act there is inserted—...
(1) Section 119A (diversion of footpaths and bridleways crossing railways)...
After section 119A of the 1980 Act there is inserted—...
(1) Section 120 of the 1980 Act (exercise of powers...
(1) Section 121 of the 1980 Act (supplementary provisions as...
After section 121 of the 1980 Act there is inserted—...
After section 135 of the 1980 Act there is inserted—...
In section 293 of the 1980 Act (powers of entry...
In section 325 of the 1980 Act (regulations, schemes and...
In section 326 of the 1980 Act (revocation and variation...
For section 29 of the 1980 Act there is substituted—...
In section 329(1) of the 1980 Act (interpretation)—
In section 334 of the 1980 Act (savings relating to...
In section 344 of the 1980 Act (application to Isles...
(1) Schedule 6 to the 1980 Act (provisions as to...
After Schedule 12 to the 1980 Act there is inserted—...
In Schedule 3 to the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act...
In Schedule 9 to the Environment Act 1995 (miscellaneous functions...
In section 31 of the 1980 Act (dedication of way...
After section 31 of the 1980 Act there is inserted—...
In section 36 of the 1980 Act (highways maintainable at...
In section 118 of the 1980 Act (stopping up of...
After section 118 of the 1980 Act there is inserted—...
After section 118A of the 1980 Act there is inserted—...
(1) Section 119 of the 1980 Act (diversion of footpaths...
In section 51(1) of the National Parks and Access to...
(1) Section 30 of the Countryside Act 1968 (riding of...
In section 20 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons...
(1) Section 21 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (prohibition...
For section 34 of that Act there is substituted— Prohibition...
After that section there is inserted— Exceptions to presumption in...
In section 195 of that Act— (a) in subsection (3),...
In Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988...
In Schedule 3 to that Act (fixed penalty offences), in...
In each provision specified in relation to each of the...
In the following enactments, the entry for the Nature Conservancy...
In Part III of Schedule 1 to the House of...
For section 28 of the 1981 Act (areas of special...
Section 29 (special protection for certain areas of special scientific...
(1) Section 31 of the 1981 Act (restoration where order...
In section 32 (duties of agriculture Ministers with respect to...
(1) Section 52 of the 1981 Act (interpretation of Part...
In section 67 of the 1981 Act (application to Crown),...
In the 1981 Act, after Schedule 10 there is inserted...
Consequential amendments relating to sites of special scientific interest
(1) The 1981 Act is amended as follows.
In Schedule 13 to the Environment Act 1995 (review of...
In Schedule 10 to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Act...
In section 74 of the 1981 Act (short title, commencement...
In Schedule 3 to the Harbours Act 1964 (procedure for...
In section 10 of the Conservation of Seals Act 1970...
In section 105A of the Highways Act 1980 (environmental impact...
In section 9 of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987 (planning...
In section 87 of the Town and Country Planning Act...
In section 36 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (grant...
In section 156 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (restriction...
Transitional provisions and savings relating to sites of special scientific interest
(1) In this Schedule— “the Nature Conservancy Council” has the...
(1) An agreement under old section 28(6A) in effect immediately...
(1) A person to whom a stop notice is given...
(1) The Nature Conservancy Council may, by notice given to...
(1) Section 28F(1)(a) does not apply to a refusal of...
Section 28H does not apply in relation to operations which...
Paragraphs 16 and 17 apply where, immediately before the coming...
(1) If the relevant land is not included in a...
(1) This paragraph applies where— (a) a notice has been...
(1) This paragraph applies where— (a) as a result of...
(1) Despite its repeal by paragraph 2 of Schedule 9...
Except as mentioned in paragraphs 4 and 5, a notification...
(1) Section 28P does not have effect in relation to...
Section 51 (powers of entry) has effect on and after...
Section 70A (service of notices) applies in relation to notices...
A notice under old section 28(4A)(a) or (b) has effect...
New section 28(2) does not apply to a notification taking...
The words following paragraph (b) in new section 28(4) do...
(1) The Nature Conservancy Council shall, within the period of...
(1) This paragraph applies to a notification under old section...
(1) Except as provided in paragraph 9—
(1) Subject to paragraph 10, this paragraph applies where—
In section 1(5) of the 1981 Act (offence of intentional...
(1) Section 21 of that Act (penalties, forfeitures etc. for...
In section 24 of that Act (functions of the Nature...
In section 27 of that Act (interpretation of Part I),...
In section 3 of that Act (areas of special protection)...
In section 6 of that Act (sale etc. of live...
(1) In section 7 of that Act (registration etc. of...
In section 9 of that Act (protection of certain wild...
In section 16(3) of that Act (power to grant licences)...
In section 19 of that Act (enforcement of Part I),...
After that section there is inserted— Enforcement: wildlife inspectors. (1) In this Part, “wildlife inspector” means a person authorised...
(1) In section 20 of that Act (time limit for...
In this Schedule— “an English conservation board” means a conservation...
A conservation board shall be a body corporate.
(1) A conservation board shall consist of—
(1) The local authority members of a conservation board shall...
(1) The parish members of an English conservation board shall...
(1) Before appointing any person as a member of a...
(1) The members of a conservation board shall elect, from...
In Schedule 2 to the Audit Commission Act 1998 (accounts...
In this Schedule— “common”, “disposal” and “open space” have the...
(1) For the purposes of any of their functions under...
Subject to paragraphs 4 to 6 and to the provisions...
(1) Except with the consent of the Secretary of State...
A conservation board may not dispose under paragraph 3 of...
Section 128 of the Local Government Act 1972 (consents to...
In section 152(2) of the Local Government and Housing Act...
Areas of outstanding natural beauty: consequential amendments and transitional provisions
In section 1 of the National Parks and Access to...
In section 87 of the Town and Country Planning Act...
In section 130 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (countryside...
In section 156 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (restriction...
In Schedule 13 to the Environment Act 1995 (review of...
In section 13 of the Housing Act 1996 (restriction on...
In this Part “commencement” means the commencement of section 82....
Any order under section 87 of the 1949 Act (designation...
Any reference in any instrument or document (whenever made) to...
Anything done before commencement in connection with a proposed order...
In section 112(2) of that Act (provisions not applying to...
In section 114(1) of that Act (interpretation), for the definition...
In Schedule 3 to the Harbours Act 1964, in paragraph...
In section 105A of the 1980 Act (environmental impact assessments),...
In section 1 of the Derelict Land Act 1982 (powers...
In section 22 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984...
In section 37 of the Housing Act 1985 (restriction on...
In section 157 of that Act (restriction on disposal of...
Repeals
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Natural Resources Wales / What to include in your marine development scoping report for EIA (opens in a new tab) from NRW Detailed Guidance
- Joint Statement on the Historic Environment in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty | Historic England (opens in a new tab) from Historic England Detailed Guidance
- SR2019 No 2: steps, ramps and other similar structures excavated into the existing bank profile of a main river (opens in a new tab) from Environment Agency Publication
- Celebrating 25 Years of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Open access land and the coastal margin: how to restrict public access (opens in a new tab) from Natural England Detailed Guidance
- Open access land: management, rights and responsibilities (opens in a new tab) from Natural England Detailed Guidance
- NRW: SSSI owner responsibilities (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- GOV.UK: Protected areas - SSSIs (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Countryside and Right of Way Act 2000 (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
OEP
PrimaryOffice for Environmental Protection
Independent body established post-Brexit to scrutinise environmental law and investigate complaints about public authorities' failures to comply with environmental law in England …
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries, and rural communities. Sets environmental policy and works with agencies …
Government department responsible for protecting, expanding, and promoting the sustainable management of woodlands in England. Issues felling licences, administers woodland creation grants, …
Government adviser for the natural environment in England. Responsible for wildlife licensing (protected species), designating and managing protected sites (SSSIs, National Nature …
Natural Resources Wales
Principal environmental regulator for Wales. Combines functions of Environment Agency Wales, Countryside Council for Wales, and Forestry Commission Wales. Issues environmental permits, …
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