North York Moors National Park
 

Authority Services

Dual Status Ways

 

Dual status ways in the North York Moors are those recorded on the definitive map as footpath or bridleway and on the list of streets maintainable at public expense.  The Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act took effect on 2 May 2006 and effectively ended existing unrecorded Public Rights of Way for Mechanically Propelled Vehicles (MPVs) on dual status ways unless any one of four exceptions apply:

• Its main lawful public use for the previous 5 years was by MPVs
• It was created specifically for MPVs
• It was created by virtue of use by MPVs before 1st December 1930
• It was subject to a Definitive Map Modification Order application for byway open to all traffic made before 20 January 2005.

Private vehicle access to land or premises is unaffected.

The National Park Authority has agreed over-arching policies for the management of dual status ways with the Highway Authorities: North Yorkshire County Council and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council -

  • A management regime will be agreed in due course for each way between the respective Authorities on a case by case basis.
  • Ways on which Highway Authorities have in the past provided and maintained a tarmac surface, because they serve domestic premises or businesses for example, will continue to enjoy the same maintenance regime, subject to the usual budgetary constraints.
  • “Bridleway Only”, ” Footpath Only” or “Public Right of Way Only” signs with National Park logo and a warning of penalty for unauthorised driving will be erected by Rangers where necessary to help reduce unauthorised motor traffic.
  • Ways recorded on the definitive map as footpath or bridleway will be managed as such and annotated as this status on the List of Streets, but where appropriate, upgrading of status to Restricted Byway will be considered.
  • Ways that are all purpose carriageways where the predominant use is by motor traffic may in future be deleted from the definitive map.

Following the NERC Act, some dual status ways are not lawfully available for public mechanically propelled vehicles. Please click on the link here to access this information.  On other dual status ways public mechanically propelled vehicle use continues. Please click on the link here to access this information. 

If you require any further information about Dual Status Ways within the National Park area, then please contact the National Park Office in Helmsley on (01439) 770657.