The council's parks and countryside service provide information about, and help to maintain, Leeds’ network of public rights of way. There are 1,157 paths within the Leeds metropolitan boundary, including 620km of public footpaths, 153km of public bridleways and 4km of public byways.
Who can use a public footpath?
A footpath can be used by anyone travelling on foot from one place to another.
Who can use a public bridleway?
A bridleway can be used by anyone on foot, bicycle or on a horse to travel from one place to another.
What is the difference between a footpath and a pavement?
Footpaths are sometimes called pavements. Pavements (or 'footways') normally run alongside a road and are registered as part of the public highway network.
How can I find out where all the public rights of way are?
The council keeps an up-to-date legal record of all public rights of way in the Leeds metropolitan district, together with details of their status. This is called the 'definitive map'. The map is available for inspection at our parks and countryside offices on Red Hall Lane in Leeds, but you will need to call us to make an appointment beforehand.
How can I claim a public right of way that is not shown on the definitive map? If a right of way along a particular route is not recorded on the definitive map, this doesn't necessarily mean there is no public right of way. Anyone can claim a public right of way, but you must follow the correct legal process in order to get changes made to the definitive map. Please contact us if you need further advice.
What can I do about horse riders or motorcyclists using a footpath?
If a footpath is being used by anybody not travelling on foot, they could be considered as trespassers, and the land owner can take legal action against them. However it is possible that although a right of way may be included on the definitive map as a footpath, 'higher rights', (for example for horse riders) may exist. In cases where there are disputes, a complicated legal process is used to decide what status a public right of way has and the definitive map is updated with any changes.
You can also report motorcyclists and horseriders causing a danger or annoyance on footpaths to the council's anti-social behaviour unit. They will investigate the problem and where necessary, take action to prevent misuse of the footpath.
Rights of Way Improvement Plan
A new ten year improvement plan for the district’s rights of way is being put out for public comment for the next three months.
The Draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan, which makes recommendations for how rights of way such as footpaths, bridleways and byways could be improved over the next 10 years.
A survey designed to gauge the public’s needs and views when it comes to walking, cycling and horse-riding issues – as well as disabled access, carriage driving and motorised vehicle usage –revealed that most people rated better signposting and waymarking, improvements to dangerous road/path junctions, and additional paths to link gaps in the network in their top three priorities for improving Leeds’ rights of way.
Contact us
Please note that the Parks and Countryside's Head Office main reception telephone number 0113 3957400 is staffed from 8.00am - 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8.00am - 4.00pm on a Friday. Outside of these hours you can leave a message on the answerphone.