UK Act of Parliament 2000 United Kingdom

Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

An Act to make new provision for public access to the countryside; to amend the law relating to public rights of way; to enable traffic regulation orders to be made for the purpose of conserving an area’s natural beauty; to make provision with respect to the driving of mechanically propelled …

Status
Amended (in force with amendments)
Penalty ceiling
Imprisonment 2 of 20 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 4 carry different penalties and 14 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Does it bind you?

Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.

Any Person6 Occupier1

Plus 13 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.

Other Acts binding the same actors

If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.

Any Person — also bound by 2340 other Acts
Occupier — also bound by 235 other Acts

What it requires

Sections creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.

Part 1

Access to the countryside

13 of 49 sections shown
s.004 Duty to prepare maps. (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Natural England and Natural Resources Wales must map open country and common landStatutory regulator
s.005 Publication of draft maps. (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Natural England must map open country and consider land-owner objectionsStatutory regulator
s.009 Maps in conclusive form. (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Natural England must issue conclusive maps of public access landStatutory regulator
s.009 Review of maps (England) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Natural England must review maps of open country and common landStatutory regulator
s.010 Review of maps (Wales). (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Natural Resources Wales must periodically review access mapsStatutory regulator
s.014 Offence of displaying on access land notices deterring public use. (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Display false or misleading notice on access landAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.020 Codes of conduct and other information. (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Natural England and NRW must issue codes of conduct for access landStatutory regulator
s.022 Exclusion or restriction at discretion of owner and others. (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Comply with restrictions when closing land to public accessAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.030 Appeal by person interested in land. (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Relevant authorities must provide reasons for refusing access directionsStatutory regulator
s.039 Order to remove obstruction. (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Fail to remove obstruction after access orderAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.040 Powers of entry for purposes of Part I. (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Obstruct authorised entry under the Countryside ActAny Person

Fine up to £500

s.041 Compensation relating to powers under s. 40. (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Regulators must compensate for damage caused during land entryStatutory regulator
s.043 Crown application of Part I. (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Part I of the Act applies to the Crown and its employeesCrown / Minister / Government department
36 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.003 Power to extend to coastal land etc : England
s.025 Salt marshes and flats
Part 2

Public rights of way and road traffic

3 of 26 sections shown
s.060 Rights of way improvement plans. (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Local highway authorities must publish rights of way improvement plansLocal authority
s.061 Rights of way improvement plans: supplemental. (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Local highway authorities must consult and publish rights of way plansLocal authority
s.064 Power to order offender to remove obstruction. (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Fail to comply with removal order for highway obstructionAny Person

Unlimited fine

23 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Part 3

Nature conservation and wildlife protection

0 of 9 sections shown
Part 4

Areas of outstanding natural beauty

0 of 14 sections shown
Part 5

Miscellaneous and supplementary

2 of 11 sections shown
Schedules

Schedules

4 of 201 shown
s.006 Amendments relating to creation, stopping up and diversion of highways (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Apply to remove public footpaths or bridleways from your landOccupier
s.012 Amendments relating to Part I of Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Intentionally or recklessly disturb protected wild birdsAny Person
s.sch009 Sites of special scientific interest (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Natural England must notify owners and occupiers of SSSI designationsStatutory regulator
s.sch013 Areas of outstanding natural beauty: conservation boards (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must consult Natural England on board appointmentsCrown / Minister / Government department
197 other schedules
s.sch001 Land on which the soil is being, or has at...
s.sch001 Land (other than coastal margin) within 20 metres of a...
s.sch001 Land covered by pens in use for the temporary reception...
s.sch001 Land (other than coastal margin) habitually used for the training...
s.sch001 Land the use of which is regulated by byelaws under...
s.sch001 Land which is coastal margin and is, or forms part...
s.sch001 Land which is coastal margin and is, or forms part...
s.sch001 Land which is coastal margin and is, or forms part...
s.sch001 Land which is coastal margin and— (a) is or forms...
s.sch001 (1) In this Schedule— “approved section of the English coastal...
s.sch001 In paragraph 5, the reference to the getting of minerals...
s.sch001 (1) Land is not to be treated as excepted land...
s.sch001 The land which is excepted land by virtue of paragraph...
s.sch001 Land which is habitually used for the training of racehorses...
s.sch001 Land covered by buildings or the curtilage of such land....
s.sch001 Land (other than coastal margin) within 20 metres of a...
s.sch001 Land used as a park or garden.
s.sch001 Land used for the getting of minerals by surface working...
s.sch001 Land used for the purposes of a railway (including a...
s.sch001 Land used for the purposes of a golf course, racecourse...
s.sch001 Land which does not fall within any of the preceding...
s.sch001 Land as respects which development which will result in the...
s.sch002 (1) Section 2(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), section 2(1) does...
s.sch002 (1) In paragraph 1(k), “metal detector” means any device designed...
s.sch002 Regulations may amend paragraphs 1 and 2.
s.sch002 (1) During the period beginning with 1st March and ending...
s.sch002 Whatever the time of year, section 2(1) does not entitle...
s.sch002 In paragraphs 4 and 5, “short lead” means a lead...
s.sch002 (1) Whatever the time of year, section 2(1) does not...
s.sch002 (1) Section 2(1) does not entitle a person to be...
s.sch002 (1) The relevant authority may by direction, with the consent...
s.sch002 In relation to land to which a dedication under section...
s.sch003 In this Schedule— “appointed person” means a person appointed under...
s.sch003 An appointment under section 8(1)(a) must be in writing and—...
s.sch003 Subject to the provisions of this Schedule, an appointed person...
s.sch003 (1) If either of the parties to an appeal or...
s.sch003 Subsections (2) to (5) of section 250 of the Local...
s.sch003 (1) Where under paragraph 2(c) the appointment of the appointed...
s.sch003 (1) Anything done or omitted to be done by an...
s.sch004 In section 193(1) of the Law of Property Act 1925...
s.sch004 In section 9 of the Forestry Act 1967 (requirement of...
s.sch004 In section 52 of the Agriculture Act 1967 (control of...
s.sch004 In section 2(6) of the Countryside Act 1968 (Countryside Agency...
s.sch004 In section 9 of the Local Government Act 1974 (grants...
s.sch004 In paragraph 13(1) of Schedule 13 to the Wildlife and...
s.sch005 (1) Section 53 of the 1981 Act is amended as...
s.sch005 In Schedule 14 to that Act (applications for certain orders...
s.sch005 (1) Schedule 15 to that Act (procedure in connection with...
s.sch005 (1) Section 51 of the National Parks and Access to...
s.sch005 (1) Section 57 of that Act (penalty for displaying on...
s.sch005 In section 41(11) of the Countryside Act 1968 (power to...
s.sch005 In section 116 of the 1980 Act (power of magistrates’...
s.sch005 In section 329 of the 1980 Act (interpretation)—
s.sch005 In section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order...
s.sch005 After section 53 of that Act there is inserted— Power...
s.sch005 (1) Until the coming into force of section 47(1) of...
s.sch005 After section 54 of that Act there is inserted— BOATs...
s.sch005 In section 55 of that Act (no further surveys or...
s.sch005 (1) Section 56 of that Act (effect of definitive map...
s.sch005 (1) Section 57 of that Act (supplementary provisions as to...
s.sch005 After section 57 of that Act there is inserted— Consolidation...
s.sch005 In section 66(1) of that Act (interpretation of Part III)...
s.sch006 In section 26 of the 1980 Act (compulsory powers for...
s.sch006 After section 119 of the 1980 Act there is inserted—...
s.sch006 (1) Section 119A (diversion of footpaths and bridleways crossing railways)...
s.sch006 After section 119A of the 1980 Act there is inserted—...
s.sch006 (1) Section 120 of the 1980 Act (exercise of powers...
s.sch006 (1) Section 121 of the 1980 Act (supplementary provisions as...
s.sch006 After section 121 of the 1980 Act there is inserted—...
s.sch006 After section 135 of the 1980 Act there is inserted—...
s.sch006 In section 293 of the 1980 Act (powers of entry...
s.sch006 In section 325 of the 1980 Act (regulations, schemes and...
s.sch006 In section 326 of the 1980 Act (revocation and variation...
s.sch006 For section 29 of the 1980 Act there is substituted—...
s.sch006 In section 329(1) of the 1980 Act (interpretation)—
s.sch006 In section 334 of the 1980 Act (savings relating to...
s.sch006 In section 344 of the 1980 Act (application to Isles...
s.sch006 (1) Schedule 6 to the 1980 Act (provisions as to...
s.sch006 After Schedule 12 to the 1980 Act there is inserted—...
s.sch006 In Schedule 3 to the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act...
s.sch006 In Schedule 9 to the Environment Act 1995 (miscellaneous functions...
s.sch006 In section 31 of the 1980 Act (dedication of way...
s.sch006 After section 31 of the 1980 Act there is inserted—...
s.sch006 In section 36 of the 1980 Act (highways maintainable at...
s.sch006 In section 118 of the 1980 Act (stopping up of...
s.sch006 After section 118 of the 1980 Act there is inserted—...
s.sch006 After section 118A of the 1980 Act there is inserted—...
s.sch006 (1) Section 119 of the 1980 Act (diversion of footpaths...
s.sch007 In section 51(1) of the National Parks and Access to...
s.sch007 (1) Section 30 of the Countryside Act 1968 (riding of...
s.sch007 In section 20 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons...
s.sch007 (1) Section 21 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (prohibition...
s.sch007 For section 34 of that Act there is substituted— Prohibition...
s.sch007 After that section there is inserted— Exceptions to presumption in...
s.sch007 In section 195 of that Act— (a) in subsection (3),...
s.sch007 In Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988...
s.sch007 In Schedule 3 to that Act (fixed penalty offences), in...
s.sch008 In each provision specified in relation to each of the...
s.sch008 In the following enactments, the entry for the Nature Conservancy...
s.sch008 In Part III of Schedule 1 to the House of...
s.sch009 For section 28 of the 1981 Act (areas of special...
s.sch009 Section 29 (special protection for certain areas of special scientific...
s.sch009 (1) Section 31 of the 1981 Act (restoration where order...
s.sch009 In section 32 (duties of agriculture Ministers with respect to...
s.sch009 (1) Section 52 of the 1981 Act (interpretation of Part...
s.sch009 In section 67 of the 1981 Act (application to Crown),...
s.sch009 In the 1981 Act, after Schedule 10 there is inserted...
s.sch010 (1) The 1981 Act is amended as follows.
s.sch010 In Schedule 13 to the Environment Act 1995 (review of...
s.sch010 In Schedule 10 to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Act...
s.sch010 In section 74 of the 1981 Act (short title, commencement...
s.sch010 In Schedule 3 to the Harbours Act 1964 (procedure for...
s.sch010 In section 10 of the Conservation of Seals Act 1970...
s.sch010 In section 105A of the Highways Act 1980 (environmental impact...
s.sch010 In section 9 of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987 (planning...
s.sch010 In section 87 of the Town and Country Planning Act...
s.sch010 In section 36 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (grant...
s.sch010 In section 156 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (restriction...
s.sch011 (1) In this Schedule— “the Nature Conservancy Council” has the...
s.sch011 (1) An agreement under old section 28(6A) in effect immediately...
s.sch011 (1) A person to whom a stop notice is given...
s.sch011 (1) The Nature Conservancy Council may, by notice given to...
s.sch011 (1) Section 28F(1)(a) does not apply to a refusal of...
s.sch011 Section 28H does not apply in relation to operations which...
s.sch011 Paragraphs 16 and 17 apply where, immediately before the coming...
s.sch011 (1) If the relevant land is not included in a...
s.sch011 (1) This paragraph applies where— (a) a notice has been...
s.sch011 (1) This paragraph applies where— (a) as a result of...
s.sch011 (1) Despite its repeal by paragraph 2 of Schedule 9...
s.sch011 Except as mentioned in paragraphs 4 and 5, a notification...
s.sch011 (1) Section 28P does not have effect in relation to...
s.sch011 Section 51 (powers of entry) has effect on and after...
s.sch011 Section 70A (service of notices) applies in relation to notices...
s.sch011 A notice under old section 28(4A)(a) or (b) has effect...
s.sch011 New section 28(2) does not apply to a notification taking...
s.sch011 The words following paragraph (b) in new section 28(4) do...
s.sch011 (1) The Nature Conservancy Council shall, within the period of...
s.sch011 (1) This paragraph applies to a notification under old section...
s.sch011 (1) Except as provided in paragraph 9—
s.sch011 (1) Subject to paragraph 10, this paragraph applies where—
s.sch012 In section 1(5) of the 1981 Act (offence of intentional...
s.sch012 (1) Section 21 of that Act (penalties, forfeitures etc. for...
s.sch012 In section 24 of that Act (functions of the Nature...
s.sch012 In section 27 of that Act (interpretation of Part I),...
s.sch012 In section 3 of that Act (areas of special protection)...
s.sch012 In section 6 of that Act (sale etc. of live...
s.sch012 (1) In section 7 of that Act (registration etc. of...
s.sch012 In section 9 of that Act (protection of certain wild...
s.sch012 In section 16(3) of that Act (power to grant licences)...
s.sch012 In section 19 of that Act (enforcement of Part I),...
s.sch012 After that section there is inserted— Enforcement: wildlife inspectors. (1) In this Part, “wildlife inspector” means a person authorised...
s.sch012 (1) In section 20 of that Act (time limit for...
s.sch013 In this Schedule— “an English conservation board” means a conservation...
s.sch013 A conservation board shall be a body corporate.
s.sch013 (1) A conservation board shall consist of—
s.sch013 (1) The local authority members of a conservation board shall...
s.sch013 (1) The parish members of an English conservation board shall...
s.sch013 (1) Before appointing any person as a member of a...
s.sch013 (1) The members of a conservation board shall elect, from...
s.sch013 In Schedule 2 to the Audit Commission Act 1998 (accounts...
s.sch014 In this Schedule— “common”, “disposal” and “open space” have the...
s.sch014 (1) For the purposes of any of their functions under...
s.sch014 Subject to paragraphs 4 to 6 and to the provisions...
s.sch014 (1) Except with the consent of the Secretary of State...
s.sch014 A conservation board may not dispose under paragraph 3 of...
s.sch014 Section 128 of the Local Government Act 1972 (consents to...
s.sch014 In section 152(2) of the Local Government and Housing Act...
s.sch015 In section 1 of the National Parks and Access to...
s.sch015 In section 87 of the Town and Country Planning Act...
s.sch015 In section 130 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (countryside...
s.sch015 In section 156 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (restriction...
s.sch015 In Schedule 13 to the Environment Act 1995 (review of...
s.sch015 In section 13 of the Housing Act 1996 (restriction on...
s.sch015 In this Part “commencement” means the commencement of section 82....
s.sch015 Any order under section 87 of the 1949 Act (designation...
s.sch015 Any reference in any instrument or document (whenever made) to...
s.sch015 Anything done before commencement in connection with a proposed order...
s.sch015 In section 112(2) of that Act (provisions not applying to...
s.sch015 In section 114(1) of that Act (interpretation), for the definition...
s.sch015 In Schedule 3 to the Harbours Act 1964, in paragraph...
s.sch015 In section 105A of the 1980 Act (environmental impact assessments),...
s.sch015 In section 1 of the Derelict Land Act 1982 (powers...
s.sch015 In section 22 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984...
s.sch015 In section 37 of the Housing Act 1985 (restriction on...
s.sch015 In section 157 of that Act (restriction on disposal of...

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