Problems on rights of way

View, report and track problems on rights of way as shown on the definitive map

As the Summer season unfolds, Hampshire County Council's Countryside Access Team is diligently responding to reports about overgrown paths. Some strategically important paths, such as Hampshire’s promoted routes, are routinely cleared of surface vegetation during the summer months. The programme of works is weather-dependent but normally occurs between June and August.

Please note due to rising prices and increased demand, our ability to meet the expectations of previous years has been reduced. However, we will attempt to address any reports as soon as possible and to the best of our ability.

If you identify any issues on the path network please report through our online reporting system.

We appreciate your understanding as we navigate these challenges together.

Report a problem on a right of way

Create an account or log in to report or track problems, send photos, add comments and receive email updates.

We only manage rights of way shown on the definitive map and do not deal with problems on pavements, footways, roads or cycleways, fly-tipping or abandoned vehicles.

Report a problem on right of way
Track or view reported problems

If you have the reference number of an existing problem report you can track the status. Select 'track a problem' in the top left hand navigation. If you log in you can see a list of problems you reported.

Reported problems are displayed on the map. Search the map and press on a report for more information.

Track a problem
See all existing problems
How we deal with reported problems

We are not always able to respond to reports as soon as we would like.

We follow priority guidelines to help us deal with problems effectively:

  • level of danger to the public
  • level of use, or likely use, of the path and the type of path (e.g. strategically important, route to school, etc.)
  • inclusion as part of a recognised and promoted recreational route
  • volume of complaints received from different sources
  • degree of obstruction, encroachment or inconvenience
  • likely duration of problem
  • cause of problem – whether it is within Hampshire County Council powers to rectify
User guide

Reporting rights of way problems user guide

Priority 1

  • Accident/Incident where serious injury has occurred
  • Any matter that poses an immediate danger to the public
  • Failed or missing Hampshire County Council structure
  • Matter requiring immediate engineering attention
  • Potentially dangerous bridge structure problems
  • A problem on a strategically important path which would otherwise be a Priority 2

Priority 2

  • Permanent encroachment/obstruction with no alternative route
  • Live planning non-compliance
  • Surface damage/disturbance preventing use by public (including damage by agricultural vehicles)
  • Serious fault with Hampshire County Council structure
  • Surfacing/vegetation problems on an Hampshire County Council promoted route
  • Crops and ploughing on strategically important path
  • Surface/side vegetation making access impossible (not already included in the Priority Cutting List programme)
  • A problem on a strategically important path which would otherwise be a Priority 3

Priority 3

  • Serious stile fault
  • Electric fencing without crossing aid
  • Repeated harassment and intimidating behaviour or notices
  • Temporary, significant obstruction/encroachment with no alternative route
  • Permanent significant encroachment/obstruction with alternative route
  • Crops and ploughing on non-strategically important path
  • Surface/side vegetation severely limiting path use (not already included in the Priority Cutting List programme)
  • Surface conditions making access inconvenient (where previously maintained)
  • New requests for handrails/steps/boardwalks/etc.
  • A problem on a strategically important path which would otherwise be a Priority 4
  • Wilful removal of signpost in order to mislead the public

Priority 4

  • Misleading notices
  • Non-HCC structure making access inconvenient (eg high or ageing stile)
  • Technical obstruction/encroachment with no alternative route
  • Temporary, significant obstruction/encroachment with alternative route
  • Surface vegetation/conditions spoiling enjoyment of path (non PCL)
  • Path improvement requests not covered by higher priorities
  • A problem on a strategically important path which would otherwise be a Priority 5

Priority 5

These problems will only be fixed if efficient to do so while dealing with a higher priority matter in the same area.

They do not form part of the current programme of work.

  • Issues on cul-de-sac path without terminal point of interest
  • Minimal obstruction/encroachment with alternative route

Programmed work outside of priority guidelines

  • Path waymarking and fingerposting (winter)
  • Priority Cutting List for vegetation clearance (spring/summer/autumn)
  • Upkeep of Long Distance Paths (and where possible Off Road Cycle Routes)
  • Major works funded by capital bids (executed during summer/autumn)
  • Heavy vegetation clearance (winter)

Privacy Notice

The personal data you provide will be treated in accordance with UK Data Protection Legislation.  Your data will only be used to process your reports and will not be shared with third parties.  It will become part of the permanent records kept on rights of way in Hampshire.  If you wish your details to be removed from our records at any time, contact us at [email protected]. The legal basis for our use of this information is Performance of a Public Interest task.

You have some legal rights in respect of the personal information we collect from you.  See our website Data Protection page for further details. You can contact the County Council’s Data Protection Officer at [email protected]. If you have a concern about the way we are collecting or using your personal data, you should raise your concern with us in the first instance or directly to the Information Commissioner’s Office.