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South Gloucestershire Public Rights of Way

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Welcome to our Glossary page

An invaluable resource for demystifying terms and acronyms frequently used across our platform. This glossary is a concise reference to ensure that you can quickly understand and navigate through the terminology associated with our services.

What You'll Find:

Common Terms: Definitions for frequently used terms related to rights of way and local governance.

Less Common Terms: Explanations for specialized terms to enhance your understanding.

Streamlining Communication

Our glossary is tailored to streamline communication, providing clarity on the language used throughout our platform. Whether you're a new user or a seasoned visitor, this resource is here to facilitate a seamless experience.

Select a term, gain quick clarity, and proceed with confidence.

Common Terms:

  1. Common Land:
    • Land where certain rights, such as grazing animals or collecting wood, are held by one or more persons other than the owner.
  2. Furniture:
    • In the context of paths and rights of way, "furniture" refers to structures or elements designed to assist users along a path, such as gates, stiles, bridges, or waymarkers.
  3. Link:
    • Smaller, segmented sections along a path that allow for more detailed and effective management. Each link is assigned a unique identifier, known as a "link number," serving as an ID for that specific section. Changes to the path, such as diversions or closures, may result in the generation of new links, each assigned a new link number. These link numbers are referenced as part of the RouteCode, providing a systematic way to identify and manage different segments of the path.
  4. Permissive Path:
    • A path that landowners allow the public to use, but there is no legal right of access.
  5. Public Bridleway:
    • A path open to pedestrians, horse riders, and cyclists.
  6. Public Byway:
    • A route that is open to pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists, and vehicles (often agricultural).
  7. Public Footpath:
    • A path that is open to pedestrians only.
  8. Public Right to Roam:
    • Legal access rights for the public to explore open countryside in certain areas.
  9. Public Rights of Navigation:
    • The legal right to navigate a watercourse, such as a river or canal.
  10. Restricted Byway:
    • A route open to pedestrians, horse riders, and non-motorized vehicles.
  11. Rights of Way (RoW):
    • Legal paths that the public has the right to access, typically for walking, cycling, or horse riding.
  12. Stile:
    • A structure allowing pedestrians but not livestock to cross a fence or wall.

Less Common Terms:

  1. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB):
    • A designated area with significant landscape value, protected to conserve its natural beauty.
  2. Conservation Area:
    • A designated area with special architectural or historic interest where special planning regulations apply.
  3. Countryside Code:
    • A set of guidelines for visitors to rural areas, promoting responsible behavior.
  4. Countryside Stewardship:
    • A government scheme in the UK that provides financial incentives for landowners to manage their land to benefit the environment.
  5. CAMS Pro: 
    • Countryside Access Management System (Pro version) this is the name of the platform you are using
  6. Definitive Map:
    • The legal record of public rights of way in an area.
  7. Ecotourism:
    • Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.
  8. GIS (Geographic Information System):
    • A system for capturing, storing, analyzing, and managing spatial or geographic data.
  9. Green Lane:
    • A path, often unsurfaced, that is used for recreational purposes.
  10. Kissing Gate:
    • A gate designed to allow people, but not livestock, to pass through.
  11. Landowner's Liability:
    • The legal responsibility of a landowner for the safety of people on their land.
  12. National Park:
    • A protected area with outstanding natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage.
  13. Scheduled Monument:
    • A nationally important archaeological site protected by law.
  14. Waymarking:
    • Signs or markers on paths to guide users along the correct route.
  15. Rural Heritage:
    • The preservation and promotion of traditional rural practices and structures.