Waymarking a public right of way involves the marking of the course of the route at points along it. Waymarking is complementary to signposting, which is normally reserved for the points where a path makes a junction with a road. Signposts advertise a path in its initial direction; waymarks enable users to follow the path accurately at points where they might otherwise have difficulty.

The term ‘waymark’ is a very ancient one, from Jeremiah 31 v 21, “Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps: set thine heart towards the highway, even the way which thou wentest”.

Advantages of waymarking

  1. It allows walkers who are unfamiliar with an area to explore the paths without going to the expense of purchasing maps.
  2. It aids route finding in woodland and scrub where even the 1:25,000 maps do not give sufficient detail.
  3. It reduces accidental trespass, and allows intentional trespassers to be fairly reprimanded.
  4. It clarifies the status of paths for walkers and riders.
  5. It encourages the use of little known paths, both by visitors and local residents, and so reduces the frequency of clearance needed.

Note the following:

  1. The general rule is to place waymarks only where they are necessary for a stranger to follow the route of the path. However, ‘confirmatory’ waymarks may be necessary in places where there are several clearly trodden paths, not all of which are rights of way.
  2. Waymarking should only be done on paths which are clear of overhanging vegetation, and which have the necessary stiles and bridges. Otherwise, trespass is likely to increase.
  3. Only public rights of way should be waymarked with the standard blue, yellow or red arrow. It is most important, for the rights of both walkers and landowners, that unofficial permissive paths or diversions are not waymarked. From the walker’s point of view, the diversion or unofficial permissive path may be a less ‘commodious’ route than the official path, and by encouraging use of the former through waymarking, the latter may become disused.
    Official permissive paths or licensed paths will normally have a separate sign stating that the path is used with the owner’s permission and is not a public right of way, and thus waymarking and ensuing use will not affect its legal status. Some form of waymarking is even more important than on public rights of way, as permissive paths are not shown on maps. Groups should check with the highway authority to find out what scheme they have adopted for waymarking official permissive paths.
    If a landowner waymarks an unofficial diversion, in an attempt to lessen use of the official path, this could constitute misleading notices, which he could be required to remove.
  4. It is not usually advisable to have a sign explaining the waymarking at the entry to a waymarked path, as this only clutters the signpost and attracts vandalism, although it may be necessary if a different system is used for a permissive path. If an arrow of the type marking the path is included on the initial signpost, this should be sufficient explanation.
  5. The marking of a route with waymarks does not take away any ‘higher’ right that may exist. For example, if a path is waymarked in blue as a bridleway, this does not invalidate any higher, unrecorded vehicular rights which may exist over the route.

There are frequent cases where it is not possible to complete the waymarking of a path, either because there is a discrepancy between the route on the map and the route on the ground, or the landowner disputes the route. This is a great problem, as to partly waymark a path is confusing, but without any, the path is likely to further decline in use. The only solution, although likely to be a lengthy one, is to press the highway authority to resolve the matter, it being their responsibility. This must be done either by reinstating the original route, or by a diversion order. Alternatively, a permissive or licensed path may be made as an interim measure.

The red waymarking arrow on a byway open to all traffic only shows the status of the route, and does not indicate whether it is physically suitable for vehicles.

Waymarking can vary in form:

  1. The simplest type is a non-directional mark which attracts the eye, and from which the next mark is visible. Examples may include cairns in mountain and moorland areas, and blazes on trees.
  2. The standard system recommended by the Countryside Commission indicates both the direction and the status of the path. A yellow arrow indicates a footpath, a blue arrow a bridlepath and a red arrow a byway open to all traffic. An additional symbol may be used to indicate a particular recreational route or long distance route.
  3. Forest walks and nature trails in country parks and other areas may have their own system of waymarking, often linked to a descriptive leaflet. These do not necessarily indicate public rights of way.

Note that waymarking must be done from both directions along the path.

Responsibility

Highway authorities in England and Wales have the duty to erect signposts at junctions of footpaths and bridlepaths with surfaced roads. They also have the power to erect and maintain signposts and signs along the route of a path if they consider it necessary in order that strangers can follow the route of the path (Countryside Act 1968 section 27).

As waymarks are usually attached to or painted on objects which are private property (trees, fences, walls etc.), the landowner’s consent must always be gained first. The highway authority is empowered to erect signposts in the soil of the path without the permission of the landowner (although the landowner must be consulted), but it is obviously most unsatisfactory if such measures have to be taken without the landowner’s agreement.

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