One More Question About Right Of Ways

[Hunter Gatherer]

As per another post, right of ways are footpaths for everyone to trudge upon. Are they set up and maintained by the national govt, or perhaps the county or municipal govts?
Are they on public land or, as the name implies on private land with the owners permission. Which leads me to another question(so much for 'one more question') in a nutshell what are the trespass laws in the UK like? Are they different from county to county?
I have sent away for several brochures on these footpaths and walks for the South Downs and the rest of Sussex, and I want to be clear in case I inadvertantly stray 'off path'. And I guess just pulling up next to the footpath and pitching camp is not the correct way.
Anyways, off to pour over my maps!
Cheers
Alex

[fred gordon]

Hi,
The whole issue of access to the countryside is different in Scotland from England. I can't speak for south of the Border I'm sure others on here will fill you in. I suggest you look at this www.outdooraccess-scotland.com for the Scottish scene

[Lithril]

There is a download here

http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/page86.asp

Scroll down to UK Land and Access Laws, its an interview with the editor of TGO magazine and is pretty good.

Matt

[Ogri the trog]

Are they set up and maintained by the national govt, or perhaps the county or municipal govts?

... in a nutshell what are the trespass laws in the UK like? Are they different from county to county?

... I want to be clear in case I inadvertantly stray 'off path'. And I guess just pulling up next to the footpath and pitching camp is not the correct way.
Anyways, off to pour over my maps!
Cheers
Alex

Hi Alex,
The footpaths are likely to be maintained by the landowner (farmer) though some are better than others at doing it.
I wouldn't worry too much over trespass laws, if you can show that you're trying to stay on the path, but strayed by accident - no-one is going to haul you into court for it. Most folk are pretty freindly.
Camping is not normally accepted beside the footpath but if you do stumble across a friendly farmer/landowner - you can always ask

If you do find people being obnoxious, come to Wales we're much more friendly.

ATB

Ogri the trog

[demographic]

For the most part, don't worry much unless you happen to be one of the evil, kitten killing, murdering tearaways that happen to enjoy riding an offroad/trail motorcycle/Landrover on the byways and formally Roads Used as a Public Path (RUPPS), in which case the Bobble hatters have whinged and campaigned our rights of way away.
If you are one of these kitten killers then simply riding on one of these formally RUPPS (and never marked on the maps in an upto date fashoin) can result in you having your expensive motorcycle/Landrover being confiscated.

<Cue feeling of murderous resentment>

[Nemisis]

A little off subject but I came across this site Alex thought it might be of interest http://www.visitsussex.org/links/
Dave.

[Pappa]

Are they set up and maintained by the national govt, or perhaps the county or municipal govts?

Some are maintained voluntarily by the ramblers association, especially replacing styles.