A public right of way is a path that can be used for leisure and recreation by anybody at any time.

For more information about Portsmouth public rights of way, email rightsofway@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or contact the Safer Travel Team, Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, PO1 2AL.

Hampshire Countryside Access Forum (see below) and Gov.uk have more information on public rights of way.

Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2023 - 2033

The rights of way network in Portsmouth connects people of all ages and abilities to recreation, history, culture and shopping areas.

There are over 100 footpaths across Portsmouth that are part of our rights of way network. Our Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) helps us to develop a clearly defined plan that supports a high quality, well maintained public rights of way network.

The Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2023 – 2033 sets out a clear action plan for managing, developing, and improving the rights of way network for everyone living, working or visiting Portsmouth, and was officially adopted on Thursday 19 January 2023.

The plan highlights the key requirements for the council to meet its statutory duty as the highway authority and identifies opportunities to improve the rights of way network.

Through this strategy we will continue to support and maintain a high quality, well- maintained public rights of way network throughout the city.

Public consultation

View the results of the public consultation

This was held between 15 November 2021 and 25 February 2022.

Map of public rights of way

View the full list of public rights of way in a table