Can landowners grow crops on and plough up Public Rights of Way?
Where a crop (other than grass) has been planted or sown on land crossed by a Public Right of Way, the occupier has a duty to ensure that the line on the ground of the public right of way is indicated to not less than the minimum width (one metre for footpaths and two metres for bridleways on cross field routes; 1.5 metres for footpaths and three metres for bridleways on field edge routes). Additionally, the occupier has a duty to prevent the crop from encroaching within that width throughout the growing season. Failure to fulfil this duty is a criminal offence.
