Shire district councils are entitled to take over the maintenance of public paths from the county councils if they wish and may by agreement take over other responsibilities from the county council. Highway authorities have the power to require owners to cut back overhanging growth from the side of a path. The path should be whatever width was dedicated for public use. The width may be recorded in the statement accompanying the definitive map but in many cases the proper width will be a matter of what has been past practice on that particular path. Note the width of the right of way may be greater, or sometimes less, than the width of any track or hard-surfaced strip along the route 8.
Riders have a right to use bridleways, as the name implies.
Riders have no right to use footpaths, but they often do. In doing so they are committing a trespass against the owner of the land, rather than a criminal offence. If use of a footpath by riders becomes a nuisance the county council can make a traffic regulation order forbidding riders to use that particular path. Anyone who drives a vehicle on a footpath or bridleway without permission is committing an offence. This does not apply if the driver stays within 15 yards of the road and only goes on the path to park.