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Streets, roads and pavements

Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

There are five parts to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW):

  • Part 1 deals with right of access to the countryside, also known as the 'right to roam' or 'freedom to roam'
  • Part 2 deals with public rights of way and road traffic
  • Part 3 deals with nature conservation and wildlife protection
  • Part 4 relates to areas of outstanding natural beauty
  • Part 5 covers supplementary information, such as Local Access Forums, and town and village greens

For further information and advice about enjoying access to the countryside see:

Open Access Land

Part 1 of the CROW Act deals with the public right to have access, on foot, to open country and registered common land in England and Wales.

The Act defines open country as:

  • mountain
  • moor
  • heath
  • down

York has no mountains or downland. Strensall Common has been identified as an area of open access land or heath. However, Strensall Common is subject to military byelaws and as such access is restricted.

Other large areas in York include Heslington Tillmire and Clifton Ings.

See information regarding outdoor access and recreation, access and rights of way, including information regarding public access to military areas, on GOV.UK.

Also see

Public Rights of Way Team

West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA

Telephone: 01904 551550