Byway users code of conduct
East Sussex County Council has worked with byway users and the East Sussex Local Access Forum to produce a code of conduct to help byway users:
- Share BOAT's with walkers, horse riders and cyclists
- Be more aware of problems they may encounter
- Reduce their impact on byways
Code of Conduct
- Give way to other users. Pull over, stop and switch off your engine for horses.
- Only use your vehicle on paths that you have a legal right to drive on.
- Keep to the defined path. If you come to an obstruction, turn back and do not deviate from the path. Report any obstructions to the Rights of Way Team.
- Travel at a safe and unobtrusive speed. Drive at a speed which allows an immediate stop.
- Reduce your speed further and keep engine revs to a minimum when passing livestock and animals.
- Be road-legal. If you can’t drive your vehicle legally on a road, it can’t be used on a byway.
- Watch out for wildlife. Public rights of way are a valuable habitat for flora and fauna – especially during the spring and summer.
- Don’t travel on byways which are at risk of being damaged. Many byways are vulnerable to damage from vehicles – especially in severe weather conditions.
- Don’t practice vehicle recovery techniques (for example, winching) on public rights of way.
- Follow The Countryside Code - GOV.UK
- Be prepared. Take a mobile phone, water, spare food and a first-aid kit for emergencies.
- Don’t travel alone. Byways can be in very isolated countryside – travelling alone should be avoided.
- Don’t drive in streams or rivers unless there is a right of way across them. Be aware of strong currents when using fords.
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