Rights of Way in England and Wales

Public rights of way in England and Wales, using the good bits out of the global tagging style while retaining our ancient folkways and customs. This is a JOSM presets file implementing a hybrid version of the ​United Kingdom Tagging Guidelines, at least the part about public footpaths, bridleways, byways and permissive paths.

Change log

• Trac version 0.9 .. 0.12
  • Uploaded 2024-06-23
  • Use a combo for bridleway bicycle access.
  • Use SVG icons, and provide icon for presets as a whole.
  • Move the changelog here, assorted wiki page fiddling

• Trac versions 0.7 .. 0.8
  • Uploaded 2012-01-29
  • Don't require certain <access>=no tags.
  • Allow agricultural/private/forestry etc. access for some traffic.
  • Better rationales for byways.

• Trac versions: 0.4 .. 0.6
  • Uploaded 2012-01-28
  • Split permissive_path into permissive_{footpath,bridleway}.

• Trac versions: 0.1 .. 0.3
  • Uploaded 2012-01-27
  • Created and announced.

Preset XML

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<presets xmlns="http://josm.openstreetmap.de/tagging-preset-1.0"
  author="achadwick"
  description="Public rights of way in England and Wales, using the good bits out of the global tagging style while retaining our ancient folkways and customs."
  shortdescription="Rights of way in England and Wales"
  version="0.12_2024-06-23"
  icon="sign_footpath.svg"
>

<!--
Implements https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_Tagging_Guidelines


*General goals*

These presets should be sufficient for clearly marked footpaths in rural
contexts which may or may not follow farm tracks, and for pedestrian
cut-throughs in towns.

This doesn't try to impose highway=path everywhere, but is still close in
spirit to the "global tagging scheme" shown on the wiki. I use dedecated
types where they would make sense, but also mix in highway=track and
highway=unclassified where those are more appropriate for the physical
aspects of the route. Continuity of RoW tagging along a way is represented
by continuity of the designation=* and *=designated tags.

Given the nature of E+W rights of way and historical OSM usage, public
paths in England and Wales with markers can almost always can be expressed
as highway=bridleway or highway=footway, and unless they have the character
of a rough farm track or actually follow a minor road they probably should
be. Almost no marked RoW needs highway=path, the exception being marked
permissive paths narrower than a rough farm track where the landowner
allows bikes.

-->

  <group name="Rights of way" icon="sign_footpath.svg">

    <item name="Public footpath"
      type="way"
      icon="arrow_public_footpath.svg"
      preset_name_label="true"
    >
      <label text="Public footpath, often waymarked with yellow arrows." />
      <label text="Only use if there's unambiguous 'Public footpath' signage"/>
      <label text="or if the source can be used to verify the legal status."/>
      <space/>

      <!-- what makes it this kind of RoW, mandatory -->
      <key key="designation" value="public_footpath" />
      <key key="foot" value="designated" />

      <!-- physical type or degree of importance, list only isolated types -->
      <combo text="Physical aspect"
        key="highway" 
        values="footway,steps,track"
        display_values="Simple marked footpath,Steps forming part of footpath,Follows rough vehicle track"
        default="footway"
        required="true" />
      <label text="The values above are useful for isolated paths, but are"/>
      <label text="not the only possibilities. Feel free to combine with"/>
      <label text="other presets if the RoW is along a public road, say."/>
      <space/>

      <!--
        There may be evidence of vehicular or horse rider usage too.
        Typically some flavour of private and guessed from tracks.
      -->
      <combo text="Horse rider access"
        key="horse"
        values="no,private,permissive" default="no"
        required="false" />
      <combo text="Vehicular access"
        key="vehicle"
        values="no,agricultural,forestry,private,permissive" default="no"
        required="false" />

      <!-- Optional extras -->
      <optional>
        <combo key="surface" text="Surface type"
          values="paved,unpaved,asphalt,gravel,ground,grass,"
          delete_if_empty="true" />
        <combo text="Lit" key="lit"
          values=",yes,no"
          display_values="Unknown,Yes,No"
          delete_if_empty="true" />
        <combo text="Build quality" 
          key="tracktype" default="" delete_if_empty="true"
          values=",grade1,grade2,grade3,grade4,grade5"
          display_values="Unknown,
Paved or heavily compacted,
Gravel or densely packed,
Even mix of hard &amp; soft,
Mostly bare; partly solid,
Bare ground"
          />
        <text text="Width (metres)" key="width" />
      </optional>
      <link href="https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_Tagging_Guidelines" />
    </item>

    <item name="Public bridleway"
      type="way"
      icon="arrow_bridleway.svg"
      preset_name_label="true"
    >
      <label text="Public bridleway, often waymarked in blue."/>
      <label text="These are trails or paths for use by horse riders and"/>
      <label text="on foot. Cyclists may use them, but they are not required"/>
      <label text="to be kept usable by bicycles."/>
      <space />
      <label text="Only use if there's unambiguous 'bridleway' signage or"/>
      <label text="if the source can be used to verify the legal status."/>
      <space/>

      <!-- what makes it a RoW, mandatory -->
      <key key="designation" value="public_bridleway" />
      <key key="horse" value="designated" />
      <key key="foot" value="designated" />

      <!-- Variable things -->
      <key key="bicycle" value="yes" />
      <combo
        key="bicycle"
        text="Bicycle"
        values="designated,yes,dismount,discouraged"
        editable="true"
        default="designated"
      />
      <label text="Bridleways are legal for use by cyclists, but are not"/>
      <label text="legally required to be maintained for their use."/>
      <space/>

      <!-- physical type or degree of importance, list only isolated types -->
      <combo key="highway" text="Physical aspect"
        values="bridleway,track"
        display_values="Simple marked bridleway,Follows rough vehicle track"
        default="bridleway" delete_if_empty="false" />
      <label text="The values above are useful for isolated bridleways, but"/>
      <label text="aren't the only possibilities. Feel free to combine with"/>
      <label text="other presets if the RoW is along a public road, say."/>
      <space/>

      <!--
        There may be evidence of vehicular usage too.
        Typically some flavour of private and guessed from tracks.
      -->
      <combo text="Vehicular access"
        key="vehicle"
        values="no,agricultural,forestry,private,permissive" default="no"
        required="false" />

      <!-- Optional extras -->
      <optional>
        <combo key="surface" text="Surface type"
          values="paved,unpaved,asphalt,gravel,ground,grass,"
          default="" delete_if_empty="true" />
        <combo key="lit" text="Lit"
          values=",yes,no" display_values="Unknown,Yes,No"
          default="" delete_if_empty="true" />
        <combo key="tracktype" default="" delete_if_empty="true"
          values=",grade1,grade2,grade3,grade4,grade5"
          display_values="Unknown,
Paved or heavily compacted,
Gravel or densely packed,
Even mix of hard &amp; soft,
Mostly bare; partly solid,
Bare ground"
          text="Build quality" />
        <text text="Width (metres)" key="width" />
      </optional>
      <link href="https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_Tagging_Guidelines" />
    </item>

    <item name="Byway"
      type="way"
      icon="arrow_byway.svg"
      preset_name_label="true"
    >
      <label text="Byway Open To All Traffic, or BOAT. Red markers, often."/>
      <label text="These are minor roads which the public have a right to"/>
      <label text="travel on, but which are mainly used like footpaths and"/>
      <label text="bridleways. They have may have varying states of repair."/>
      <space />
      <label text="Only use if there's unambiguous 'byway' signage or"/>
      <label text="if the source can be used to verify the legal status."/>
      <space />

      <!-- what makes it a RoW, mandatory -->
      <key key="designation" value="byway_open_to_all_traffic" />
      <key key="foot" value="designated" />
      <key key="horse" value="designated" />
      <key key="vehicle" value="yes" />
      <key key="bicycle" value="designated" />
      <!--
        Rationale: the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, section 15(9)(c)
        states that a BOAT is "[...] a highway over which the public have a
        right of way [access=yes] for vehicular and all other kinds of traffic
        but which is used by the public mainly for the purpose for which
        footpaths and bridleways are used [access=designated]". Bicycles were
        probably using bridleways commonly by 1984, so they are designated.
      -->

      <!-- physical type or degree of importance, list only isolated types -->
      <combo key="highway" text="Physical aspect"
        values="track,unclassified"
        display_values="Rough track,Well-surfaced minor road"
        default="track" delete_if_empty="false" />
      <label text="If you choose the 'minor road' option, please also specify"/>
      <label text="the number of lanes."/>
      <space />
      <optional>
        <combo text="Number of lanes"
          key="lanes"
          values="1,2" />
        <combo key="surface" text="Surface type"
          values="paved,unpaved,asphalt,gravel,ground,grass,"
          default="" delete_if_empty="true" />
        <combo key="lit" text="Lit"
          values=",yes,no" display_values="Unknown,Yes,No"
          default="" delete_if_empty="true" />
        <combo key="tracktype" default="" delete_if_empty="true"
          values=",grade1,grade2,grade3,grade4,grade5"
          display_values="Unknown,
Paved or heavily compacted,
Gravel or densely packed,
Even mix of hard &amp; soft,
Mostly bare; partly solid,
Bare ground"
          text="Build quality" />
        <text text="Width (metres)" key="width" />
      </optional>
      <link href="https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_Tagging_Guidelines" />
    </item>

    <item name="Restricted Byway"
      type="way"
      icon="arrow_restricted_byway.svg"
      preset_name_label="true"
    >
      <label text="Restricted Byway, often marked with purple arrows."/>
      <label text="These are minor roads open to non-motorized traffic"/>
      <label text="with often highly varying states of repair."/>
      <space/>
      <label text="Only use if there's unambiguous 'restricted byway' signage"/>
      <label text="or if the source can be used to verify the legal status."/>
      <space />

      <!-- what makes it a RoW, mandatory -->
      <key key="designation" value="restricted_byway"/>
      <key key="foot" value="designated"/>
      <key key="horse" value="designated"/>
      <key key="vehicle" value="yes"/>
      <key key="bicycle" value="designated"/>
      <!--
        Rationale: the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, Section 48(4)
        actually lists'n'designates specific restricted byway rights:

        "(a) a right of way on foot, (b) a right of way on horseback or leading
         a horse, and (c) a right of way for vehicles other than mechanically
         propelled vehicles"

        A quick sampling of some council websites describe them as commonly
        unsuitable for motor vehicles. Common enough to be an un-designation.
        In practice, this all boils down to being the same as for ordinary
        Byways, but motor vehicles are prohibited (save for owner/access uses;
        see below).
      -->

      <!-- physical type or degree of importance, list only isolated types -->
      <combo key="highway" text="Physical aspect"
        values="track,unclassified"
        display_values="Rough track,Well-surfaced minor road"
        default="track" delete_if_empty="false" />
      <label text="If you choose the 'minor road' option, please also specify"/>
      <label text="the number of lanes."/>
      <space />

      <!--
        There may be evidence of motor vehicle usage too.
        Typically some flavour of private and guessed from tracks.
      -->
      <combo text="Motor vehicle access"
        key="motor_vehicle"
        values="no,agricultural,forestry,private,permissive" default="no"
        required="false" />

      <optional>
        <combo text="Number of lanes"
          key="lanes"
          values="1,2" />
        <combo key="surface" text="Surface type"
          values="paved,unpaved,asphalt,gravel,ground,grass,"
          default="" delete_if_empty="true" />
        <combo key="lit" text="Lit"
          values=",yes,no" display_values="Unknown,Yes,No"
          default="" delete_if_empty="true" />
        <combo key="tracktype" default="" delete_if_empty="true"
          values=",grade1,grade2,grade3,grade4,grade5"
          display_values="Unknown,
Paved or heavily compacted,
Gravel or densely packed,
Even mix of hard &amp; soft,
Mostly bare; partly solid,
Bare ground"
          text="Build quality" />
      </optional>
      <link href="https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_Tagging_Guidelines" />
    </item>

    <item name="Permissive footpath"
      type="way"
      icon="arrow_permissive_path.svg"
      preset_name_label="true"
    >
      <label text="Permissive path for walkers. Waymarks: white arrows."/>
      <label text="These are paths the landowner has granted permission to"/>
      <label text="use which can be revoked. Syn: permitted/concessionary."/>
      <space/>
      <label text="Only use if there's unambiguous 'permissive' signage"/>
      <label text="or if the source can be used to verify the legal status."/>
      <space/>

      <!-- what makes it list kind of permissive path, mandatory -->
      <key key="designation" value="permissive_footpath"/>

      <!-- physical type or degree of importance, list only isolated types -->
      <combo key="highway" text="Physical aspect"
        values="footway,track,cycleway,unclassified"
        display_values="Simple footpath,Follows rough vehicle track,Smooth cycleway,Well-surfaced minor road"
        default="footway" delete_if_empty="false" />
      <label text="If you choose the 'minor road' option, please also specify"/>
      <label text="the number of lanes."/>
      <space/>

      <!-- Access -->
      <key key="foot" value="permissive"/>
      <combo text="Horse" key="horse" values="permissive" />
      <combo text="Bicycle" key="bicycle" values="permissive" />
      <space/>

      <!-- Optional extras -->
      <optional>
        <combo text="Number of lanes"
          key="lanes"
          values="1,2" />
        <combo key="surface" text="Surface type"
          values="paved,unpaved,asphalt,gravel,ground,grass,"
          default="" delete_if_empty="true" />
        <combo key="lit" text="Lit"
          values=",yes,no" display_values="Unknown,Yes,No"
          default="" delete_if_empty="true" />
        <combo key="tracktype" default="" delete_if_empty="true"
          values=",grade1,grade2,grade3,grade4,grade5"
          display_values="Unknown,
Paved or heavily compacted,
Gravel or densely packed,
Even mix of hard &amp; soft,
Mostly bare; partly solid,
Bare ground"
          text="Build quality" />
      </optional>
      <link href="https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_Tagging_Guidelines" />
    </item>

    <item name="Permissive bridleway"
      type="way"
      icon="arrow_permissive_path.svg"
      preset_name_label="true"
    >
      <label text="Permissive path for horse riders. Waymarks: white arrows."/>
      <label text="These are paths the landowner has granted permission to"/>
      <label text="use which can be revoked. Syn: permitted/concessionary."/>
      <space/>
      <label text="Only use if there's unambiguous 'permissive' signage"/>
      <label text="or if the source can be used to verify the legal status."/>
      <space/>

      <!-- what makes it list kind of permissive path, mandatory -->
      <key key="designation" value="permissive_bridleway"/>

      <!-- physical type or degree of importance, list only isolated types -->
      <combo key="highway" text="Physical aspect"
        values="bridleway,track,cycleway,unclassified"
        display_values="Simple bridleway,Follows rough vehicle track,Smooth cycleway,Well-surfaced minor road"
        default="bridleway" delete_if_empty="false" />
      <label text="If you choose the 'minor road' option, please also specify"/>
      <label text="the number of lanes."/>
      <space/>

      <!-- Access -->
      <key key="horse" value="permissive"/>
      <combo text="Foot" key="foot" values="permissive" default="permissive"/>
      <combo text="Bicycle" key="bicycle" values="permissive" />
      <space/>

      <!-- Optional extras -->
      <optional>
        <combo text="Number of lanes"
          key="lanes"
          values="1,2" />
        <combo key="surface" text="Surface type"
          values="paved,unpaved,asphalt,gravel,ground,grass,"
          default="" delete_if_empty="true" />
        <combo key="lit" text="Lit"
          values=",yes,no" display_values="Unknown,Yes,No"
          default="" delete_if_empty="true" />
        <combo key="tracktype" default="" delete_if_empty="true"
          values=",grade1,grade2,grade3,grade4,grade5"
          display_values="Unknown,
Paved or heavily compacted,
Gravel or densely packed,
Even mix of hard &amp; soft,
Mostly bare; partly solid,
Bare ground"
          text="Build quality" />
      </optional>
      <link href="https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_Tagging_Guidelines" />
    </item>

    <!-- TODO: other permissive types? -->

  </group>

</presets>

Presets_EnglandWalesRightsOfWay-preset.xml, Presets_EnglandWalesRightsOfWay.zip