Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

61 Ploughing of public rights of way

(1) Section 134 of the [1980 c. 66.] Highways Act 1980 (ploughing of footpath or bridleway) shall have effect subject to the amendments provided for by subsections (2) to (9).

(2) Subsection (3) (7 days' notice of intention to plough) shall be omitted.

(3) In subsection (4) (duty to restore surface of footpath or bridleway), for paragraphs (a) and (b) there shall be substituted the following paragraphs—

“(a) not later than 2 weeks from the time when the occupier began to plough the footpath or bridleway, or

(b) if prevented from doing so by exceptional weather conditions, as soon as practicable thereafter,”.

(4) In subsection (5) (failure to comply with subsection (3) or (4)) the words " (3) or " shall be omitted, for paragraphs (a) and (b) there shall be substituted the words " to a fine not exceeding £200 " and for the words " subsection (4) ", in the second place where they occur, there shall be substituted the words " that subsection ".

(5) After that subsection there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(5A) A person who ploughs any footpath, bridleway or other highway otherwise than in the exercise of a right to plough it shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding £200.”

(6) In subsection (6) (enforcement of subsections (3) to (5)) for the words " subsections (3) to (5) above as respects any footpath or bridleway " there shall be substituted the words " subsections (4) to (5A) above as respects any footpath, bridleway or other highway ".

(7) In subsection (7) (proceedings by parish or community councils) after the words " subsection (4) " there shall be inserted the words " or (5A) ".

(8) In subsection (8) (power of competent authority to restore surface of footpath or bridleway) for the words " footpath or bridleway" there shall be substituted the words " footpath, bridleway or other highway ".

(9) In subsection (10) (competent authorities for the purposes of subsections (8) and (9) for the words " footpath or bridleway ", in both places where they occur, there shall be substituted the words " footpath, bridleway or other highway ".

(10) In section 135(1) of the said Act of 1980 (temporary diversion of footpath or bridleway ploughed up under section 134) the words " 6 or " and " 6 weeks or " shall be omitted.