Byways and Bridleways Trust facts for kids
The Byways and Bridleways Trust (BBT) is a special charity that helps protect old paths and tracks across England and Wales. It was started in 1980 and works to make sure these paths stay open and safe for everyone to use. Think of it as a guardian for the countryside's historic routes!
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What is the Byways and Bridleways Trust?
The Byways and Bridleways Trust is a charity, which means it's a non-profit organization that helps people or causes. Its main goal is to look after public rights of way. These are paths and tracks that anyone can use, like footpaths, bridleways, and byways.
Protecting Public Paths
The Trust works hard to keep these paths open and in good condition. They want to make sure people can always enjoy walking, cycling, or riding horses on them. They also help ensure these paths are properly recorded on official maps.
What are Bridleways and Byways?
- Bridleways are paths where you can walk, ride a horse, or cycle.
- Byways are paths that can be used by walkers, horse riders, cyclists, and even vehicles. They are like very old, unpaved roads.
How the Trust Helps
The Byways and Bridleways Trust plays an important role in how changes to public paths are decided. When new building projects or changes to the land are planned, the Trust is asked for its opinion. This is because they are a "prescribed consultee."
Being a Prescribed Consultee
Being a prescribed consultee means that certain laws require the Trust to be asked for their advice. This happens when there are plans that might affect public paths. They give their expert opinion to:
- The government
- Government agencies
- Local councils
- People who want to build new things
Laws That Protect Paths
The Trust gives advice based on important laws. These include the Highways Act 1980, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. These laws help protect public access to the countryside. The Trust also shares its views when Parliament asks for information on new laws.
The Trust's Main Goal
The main aim of the Byways and Bridleways Trust is to:
- Protect and keep public paths safe.
- Make sure these paths are well-maintained.
- Help improve and develop them for everyone.
- Ensure that maps of these paths are accurate.
The Definitive Map and Statement
One very important tool for protecting paths is the Definitive Map and Statement. This is an official, legal record of all public rights of way. Local councils are required to keep these maps up to date. The Trust works to make sure these maps are correct. This helps everyone know exactly where public paths are located.
