EXPLORE LEICESTERSHIRE'S COUNTRYSIDE
Ploughing and Cropping InformationCross-field paths
- Do not plough unless necessary
- *Re-instate within 14 days of first disturbance for that crop
- *Re-instate within 24 hours of any subsequent disturbance
- The line of the path must be indicated on the ground
- Crops, other than grass should be prevented from growing through the surface of the path.
- Crop and any other vegetation adjacent to the right of way must not encroach within the minimum width of the path
(*Re-instate - make the surface of the path reasonably convenient for public use, to not less than the minimum width)
Where a problem is identified and there have been no recorded rights of way offences in the last three years, a Rights of Way Officer will contact and send an advisory letter setting out the requirements for compliance with a time limit for completion of the necessary improvements.
If the works have not been completed in the required time scale, a legal notice will be served. This will set a final date for completion of the works.
If on final inspection the problem has not been resolved, Council Officers and their contractors will attend the site to complete outstanding works. Full costs will then be recovered from the farmer or landowner concerned.
Full costs may include County Council Officers’ time and administration charges, in addition to the Contractors’ costs.
In the event of any subsequent offences, a legal notice may be served immediately.
Field-edge paths
- Footpaths, bridleways or any other rights of way at the edge of a field must not be ploughed or disturbed without written permission of the Authority (byways should never be ploughed, whatever their location.
- Prevent overhanging vegetation, from adjacent crops or hedgerows, which interferes with use of the path
A Right of Way at the edge of a field must not be ploughed or disturbed without written consent of the Authority.
Where a problem is identified and there have been no recorded rights of ways offences in the last three years, if the field-edge path is still practical to use, then a reasonable time may be allowed to reinstate the path surface to a standard acceptable to the Authority, within an agreed time limit.
Where the path is not practical to use, then the surface of the path must be reinstated to a satisfactory standard, within a specified time limit.
A legal notice will be served if the works are not completed in time and proceedings leading to prosecution may follow.
If on final inspection the works are still not completed, then Council Officers and their contractors may complete any outstanding works and recover their costs from the farmer or landowner.
In the event of any subsequent offences, a legal notice may be served immediately.
Pesticides and Herbicides
Pesticides or herbicides should not be used in such a way as to endanger the public using the right of way. Warning signs should be displayed advising the public of the potential hazard.
Minimum Widths
Unless a path has a legal recorded width, the following widths shall apply:
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Footpaths
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Bridleways
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Cross Field Paths
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1-1.8 metres
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2-3 metres
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Field Edge Paths
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1.5-1.8 metres
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3 metres
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The County Council will reinstate to the maximum permitted width
Contact Numbers:
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