Obstructions can include a barbed wire fence, a heap of manure or a standing crop. The local authority can order the landowner to remove the obstruction, or remove it themselves and recover costs. A member of the public is allowed to remove as much of an obstruction as is necessary to get past it, but must be a bona fide traveller, and not have gone out with the specific aim of removing the obstruction.
Misleading signs
It is an offence for anyone to put up a sign or notice containing false or misleading information likely to deter people from using a public footpath, bridleway or byway, provided the right of way is shown on the definitive map. The highway authority is responsible for enforcing this legislation.
Bulls
Bulls should not be kept in fields crossed by public rights of way unless they are under 11 months old, or are of a beef breed and accompanied by cows or heifers.
Thus, bulls of dairy breeds (Ayrshire, British Friesian, British Holstein, Dairy Shorthorn, Jersey, Guernsey and Kerry) must not be in fields crossed by rights of way unless they are under 11 months old.
