Unavailable Public Rights of Way routes

1 About unavailable routes

Sections of the West Sussex rights of way network sometimes become unavailable. Closures are usually temporary and are to protect your safety. On rare occasions paths may become subject to a permanent closure order.

The unavailable paths listed here are not available for use by the public and are without a locally signed alternative.

Please be aware that although these website pages are updated regularly, it is sometimes necessary to close a path as an emergency or for short periods of time. In such cases information may not be available on the website.

2 Temporary closures

Please see below a list of longer term temporary closures on our network. For enquiries about short term closures of up to 21 days, please contact the PRoW Team.

*Closure may be lifted sooner if works are completed ahead of schedule. An extension may also be required and we will state this from the outset if we are aware that it will be a longer closure.

To view the location of an affected footpath or bridleway, launch the iMap. Then select 'Path number' from the drop-down list and enter the relevant path or bridleway number in the search box.

Amberley

• Affected route: Public Footpath No. 2667 (part) - Closed for a distance of approximately 75 metres from its junction with Church Street (TQ027132) heading westwards along FP 2667 to Grid Reference TQ027113. Note: An alternative route has been provided around the closed section.
• Duration: Closed for six months until 13 June 2024.
• Reason: To protect public safety while a collapsed wall adjoining the route is repaired.
• Map: FP2667 (PDF, 159KB)

Angmering

• Affected route: Public Footpath No. 2149 - Closed for a distance of approximately 960 metres from its junction with Dappers Lane (SU073055) heading east and then south to its junction with Water Lane (SU076048).
• Duration: Closed for 6 months until 13 June 2024. It is expected this will be followed by a further closure.
• Reason: To protect public safety while property development takes place on adjacent land.
• Map: FP2149 (PDF, 266KB)

Arundel

• Affected route: Public Footpath No. 3080 - Closed from its junction with Ford Road (TQ012067) heading south-east to its junction with Public Footpath No. 206 (TQ013067) for a distance of approximately 105 metres.
• Duration: Closed for six months until 8 May 2024. It is expected this will be followed by a further closure.
• Reason: To protect public safety while development works are undertaken.
• Map: FP3080 (PDF, 261KB)

Arundel/Walberton

• Affected route: Public Footpath No. 347 - Closed from its junction with the A27 (SU992073) heading south to its junction with Public Bridleway No. 338 (SU994069) for a distance of approximately 470 metres.
• Duration: Closed for six months until 15 April 2024.
• Reason: To protect public safety due to ongoing issues with the water main.
• Map: FP347 (PDF, 297KB)

Balcombe

• Affected route: Public Footpath No. 16Ba - from a point 30 metres east of the point at which it passes under the Ouse Valley Viaduct (TQ322280), westwards for a distance of 60 metres.
• Duration: Current 24-month closure runs until 23 February 2025*.
• Reason: To protect public safety while engineering inspection and remedial works are undertaken on the viaduct.
• Map: FP16Ba (PDF, 195KB)

Barnham and Eastergate

• Affected route: Public Footpath No. 325 - Closed from its junction with Lake Lane (SU968046) heading in a southerly direction to its junction with Yapton Road (SU967040) for a distance of approximately 675 metres.
• Duration: Closed for 6 months until 15 May 2024.
• Reason: To protect public safety following a risk assessment of the operation of a railway crossing on the route.
• Map: FP325 (PDF, 301KB)

Billingshurst

• Affected route: Public Footpath No. 1325_1 - Closed from its junction with Public Bridleway 771 (TQ071270) heading in a north-easterly direction to its junction with Rowner Road (TQ074272) for a distance of approximately 380 metres.
• Duration: Closed for 6 months until 18 April 2024 and is expected to be followed by a further closure.
• Reason: To protect public safety due to an unsafe bridge.
• Map: FP1325_1 (PDF, 126KB)

Bolney

• Affected route: Public Footpath No. 23Bo - Closed from its junction with Chapel Road (TQ254215) heading east and then north to its junction with Public Footpath No. 24Bo (TQ258217), a distance of approximately 555 metres.
• Duration: Closed for 12 months until 6 January 2025. This will be followed by a longer-term closure.
• Reason: To protect public safety due to a broken footbridge.
• Map: FP23Bo (PDF, 329KB)

Bosham

• Affected route: Public Footpath No. 230 - Closed from its junction with the A27 (SU804052) heading south to its junction with Public Footpath 2824 24(SU804045), a distance of approximately 810 metres.
• Duration: Closed for 6 months until 4 July 2024. This may be followed by a further closure.
• Reason: To protect public safety due to coastal erosion undermining the footpath.
• Map: FP230 (PDF, 284KB)

Crawley

• Affected route: Public Footpath No. 3377 (part) - Closed from its junction with Tinsley Green (TQ289395) heading generally eastwards to its junction with Steers Lane (TQ295394), a distance of approximately 115 metres.
• Duration: Closed until 16 August 2024 and may be followed by a further closure.
• Reason: To protect public safety while development works are undertaken.
• Map: FP3377 (PDF, 317KB)

Fernhurst

• Affected route: Public Bridleway No. 1296 - Closed from its eastern end at its junction with Restricted Byway No. 2003 (SU904301), running in a westerly direction for an approximate distance of 145 metres to SU902301.
• Duration: Closed for 6 months until 13 June 2024*.
• Reason: To protect public safety while construction works are undertaken on an adjacent property.
• Map: BW1296 (PDF, 229KB)

Harting

• Affected route: Public Bridleway No. 880, from its junction with Eastfield Lane (SU802197), in an easterly direction to its junction with Sheepwash (SU806196), a distance of approximately 360 metres.
• Duration: Closed until 12 December 2024. An extension to this notice may be required.
• Reason: To protect public safety due to a bridge being in disrepair.
• Map: BW880 (PDF, 354KB)

Hassocks

• Affected route: Public Footpath No. 5K, from its junction with London Road (TQ302163), in an easterly direction to its junction with Public Footpath No. 11K (TQ309163), a distance of approximately 630 metres.
• Duration: Closed for 6 months until 4 August 2024 with an extension after this.
• Reason: To protect public safety while development works are undertaken.
• Map: FP5K (PDF, 287KB)

Lyminster and Crossbush and Poling

• Affected route: Public Bridleway No. 2163 (part), from its junction with the A284 (TQ028047) heading generally east to its junction with public footpath no. 2202_1 (TQ039047), a distance of approximately 1.1 kilometres.
• Duration: Currently closed until 19 April 2024.
• Reason: To protect public safety while the Lyminster bypass is built.
• Map: BW2163 (PDF, 344KB)

Rusper

• Affected route: Public Footpath No. 1549_2 - Closed from its junction with Rusper Road (TQ242367), running west then north to the edge of the drive at TQ241367, a distance of approximately 130 metres.
• Duration: Closed for 24 months until 30 January 2026*.
• Reason: To protect public safety due to unsafe surface condition.
• Map: FP1549_2 (PDF, 351KB)

Rusper

• Affected route: Public Footpath No. 1492 - Closed from its junction with Friday Street (TQ185369), running in an easterly direction to its junction with High Street (TQ205373), a distance of approximately 2.3 kilometres.
• Duration: Closed for 12 months until 18 March 2025.
• Reason: To protect public safety due to a landslip preventing planned resurfacing works.
• Map: FP1492 (PDF, 445KB)

Southwater

• Affected route: Public Footpath No. 1652 (part) - Closed from its junction Public Bridleway No. 2929 (TQ149261) heading generally east to its junction with Ash Road (TQ153260), a distance of approximately 425 metres.
• Duration: Closed until 21 May 2025*.
• Reason: To protect public safety while development works are undertaken.
• Map: FP1652 (PDF, 393KB)

Steyning/Upper Beeding

• Affected route: Public Footpath No. 2776 - Closed from its western end at its junction with public footpath numbers 3204 and 2731 on the west side of the River Adur (TQ189112) heading east to its junction with Public Footpath No. 3203, on the east side of the River Adur (TQ190112).
• Duration: Closed for 6 months until 3 October 2024 and may be followed by a further closure.
• Reason: To protect public safety due to the structural deterioration of the bridge resulting in it being considered unsafe for public access.
• Map: FP2776 (PDF, 312KB)
• FP2776 Whites Bridge FAQs Upper Beeding (PDF, 771KB)

Trotton and Chithurst

• Affected route: The section of restricted byway No.3340 from its junction with public footpath 1140_2 (SU833236), eastwards to its junction with public footpath 1142 (SU840234), for a distance of approximately 800 metres.
• Duration: Closed for 9 months until 25 November 2024*.
• Reason: To protect public safety due to an unsafe bridle-bridge.
• Map: RB3340 (PDF, 328KB)

Worthing

• Affected route: Public Footpath No. 3114 - closed from its northern junction with Fulbeck Avenue (opposite the junction of Varey Road - TQ107047), southwards to its southern junction with Fulbeck Avenue, a distance of approximately 145 metres.
• Duration: Current closure runs for 6 months until 28 September 2024.
• Reason: To protect public safety while development works are undertaken.
• Map: FP3114 - I. 34604 (PDF, 344KB)

Yapton

• Affected route: Public Footpath No. 166, from its junction with Public Footpath No. 167 (SU981027), running in a southerly direction to its junction with Grevatt's Lane (SU985015), a distance of approximately 1.4 kilometres; and
  Public Footpath No. 144, from its junction with Bilsham Road (SU975022), running in a easterly direction to its junction with Public Footpath No. 166 (SU983020), a distance of approximately 755 metres.
• Duration: Closed until 23 July and then for 6 months until 23 January 2024*.
• Reason: To protect public safety due to the after effects of a sewerage spill.
• Map: FP166 and FP144 (PDF, 306KB)

Yapton

• Affected route: Public Footpath No. 156_1 - Closed from its junction with Public Footpath No. 156_2 (SU975028) heading generally south to its junction with Public Footpath No. 148 (SU973023), a distance of approximately 550 metres. Also, Public Footpath No. 156_2 - Closed from its junction with The Millers (SU204059) heading generally west to its junction with Public Footpath No. 157 (SU973029), a distance of approximately 360 metres.
• Duration: Closed for 24 months from 13 March 2023 to 12 March 2025.
• Reason: To protect public safety while development work is undertaken.
• Map: FP156_1 and FP156_2 (PDF, 175KB)

Yapton

• Affected route: Public Footpath No. 200_1 - Closed from its junction with Drove Lane/Public Footpath No. 155 (SU973033), running in a south-easterly direction to its junction with Public Footpath No. 157 (SU976032), a distance of approximately 280 metres.
• Duration: Closed for 21 days until 30 January 2023 and then for 6 months until 25 July 2023*.
• Reason: To protect public safety while development work is undertaken.
• Map: FP200_1 (PDF, 371KB)

Yapton

• Affected route: Public Footpath No. 357 - Closed from its junction with Ford Lane (SU980039) to its junction with public footpath 358 (SU981036), a distance of approximately 365 metres.
• Duration: Closed until 18 December 2022 and will be followed by a further temporary path closure until 17 December 2023.
• Reason: To protect public safety while development works are undertaken.
• Map: FP357 (PDF, 406KB)

3 Unavailable paths

To view the location of an affected footpath or bridleway, launch the iMap, select 'Path number' from the drop-down list and enter the relevant path or bridleway number in the search box.

Aldwick

• Affected route: Path number 140/2 - Closed from Trinity Way (SZ 916 995) to Cambridge Drive (SZ916995)
• Reason: Due to the legal line having been built over.

Arundel

• Affected route: Path number 3788 - Closed from Fitzalan Road (TQ 020 069) to Queen Street (TQ 020 069)
• Reason: Due to the legal line having been built over.

Billingshurst

• Affected route: Path number 1321 - Closed from Marringdean Road (TQ 089 241) to west of Kingslea Farm (TQ 087 242)
• Reason: Due to the legal line being obstructed by caravans, vehicles and outbuildings. 

Billingshurst

• Affected route: Path number 1913 - Closed from the northern side of the railway (TQ 117 258) to Pratts Farm (TQ 118 257)
• Reason: Due to a missing railway crossing point.

Billingshurst

• Affected route: Path number 1919 - Closed along Wooddale Lane TQ 099 262 to TQ 100 263
• Reason: Due to obstructing fences and an anomaly at Lower Woodlands.

Billingshurst

• Affected route: Path number 1920 - Closed from the New Road (TQ 107 268) to the southern end of Priors Farm (TQ 104 265)
• Reason: Due to obstructing wall, building and fences.

Billingshurst

• Affected route: Path number 1925 - Closed from its junction with path number 1924 at Kettlesbridge Farm (TQ 106 245) northwards to West Chiltington Lane (TQ109 247) opposite path number 1906. The continuation of footpath 1925 from this point northwards is available for use.
  
• Reason: Due to the legal line being unclear through farm buildings and development.

Bolney

• Affected route: Path number 17Bo - Closed from Stairbridge Lane (TQ 273 208) to Jobs Lane (TQ 278 204)
• Reason: Due to the legal line being obstructed by development and a lake.

Burpham

• Affected route: Path number 2222 - Closed from the cricket ground (TQ 039 088) to Jacobs Ladder (TQ 039 085)
• Reason: Due to obstructing fences.

Burpham

• Affected route: Path number 2230 - Closed from Burpham Road (TQ 043 084) to the southern end of Splash Farm (TQ 041 084)
• Reason: Due to obstructing fences.

Colgate

• Affected route: Path number 1698/1 - Closed from junction with footpath number 2822/1 (TQ 219 312) to junction with footpath number 2814 (TQ 220 312)
• Reason: Due to obstructing hedges.

Crawley

• Affected route: Path number 350/1Sy - Closed from Poles Lane (TQ 264 392) to south of 'Grove Cottage' (TQ 264 390)
• Reason: Due to the legal line running through a private garden.

Ferring

• Affected route: Path number 2136 - Closed from the A280 (TQ 088 053) to Pot Lane (TQ 092 049)
• Reason: Due to obstructing fence and buildings.

Ford

• Affected route: Path number 200/4 - Closed from Ford Road (SU 000 036) to south of 'Conifers' (SU 998 035)
• Reason: This path is a continuation of a previously extinguished path and runs to the middle of a field.

Fulking

• Affected route: Bridleway number 11F - Closed from Unitary Authority Boundary (TQ 249 101) to the Parish Boundary (TQ 252 105)
• Reason: Due to obstructing fences.

Henfield and Steyning

• Affected route: Path number 2563 - Closed from junction with bridleway number 3511 (TQ 195 132) to TQ 205 144
• Reason: Due to obstructing fence and missing bridge.

Heyshott

• Affected route: Path number 970 - Closed from Heyshott Green (SU 897 187) to Hoyle (SU 906 186)
• Reason: Due to missing bridges, felled trees and uncertainly as to the legal line on the ground.

Horsham

• Affected route: Footpath number 3690 - Closed from north of St Leonards Park (TQ 201 311) south to junction with bridleway 1697/2 (TQ 200 307) 

Lindfield Rural

• Affected route: Path number 35LR - Closed from junction with public footpath 29CU (TQ 350 237) to Lyoth Lane (TQ 350 238)

Milland

• Affected route: Bridleway number 1181 - Closed at the northern end (SU 823 296)
• Reason: Due to obstruction of the route.

Patching

• Affected route: Path number 2180 - Closed in Barnstake Copse from TQ 080 070 to TQ 076 075
• Reason: Due to obstruction by standing trees.

Patching

• Affected route: Path number 2211/1 - Closed in Michelgrove Park from TQ 075 081 to TQ 079 080
• Reason: Due to obstruction by standing trees.

Plaistow

• Affected route: Path number 3236 - Closed between junctions with bridleway number 635 ( TQ 024 316) and bridleway number 809 (TQ 028 319)
• Reason: Due to obstruction by fences and hedges.

Plaistow

• Affected route: Path number 629 - Closed between junctions with footpath number 638/1 (TQ 025 292) and bridleway number 2850 (TQ 029 291)
• Reason: Due to obstruction by hedge and missing bridge.

Poynings

• Affected route: Bridleway number 22P - Closed from the Parish boundary (TQ 252 105) north east towards Devils Dyke at TQ 253 107
• Reason: Due to obstructing fences.

Pulborough

• Affected route: Path number 2331 - Closed from New Place Road (TQ 053 190) to north of Spinney North (TQ 054 189)
• Reason:  Due to obstruction by two chain link fences.

Shipley

• Affected route: Path number 1905/1 - Closed from Emms Lane (TQ 129 259) to Trout Lane (TQ 131 258)
• Reason: Due to the legal line being blocked by buildings.

Shipley

• Affected route: Path number 1948 - Closed from Coolham Road (TQ 128 248) to junction with footpath 2801 (TQ 131 246)
• Reason: Due to obstructing fence and buildings.

Shipley

• Affected route: Path number 2801 - Closed from Coolham Road (TQ 127 246) to junction with footpath 1907 (TQ 122 247)
• Reason: Due to kennels obstructing the legal line.

Slinfold

• Affected route: Path number 1369 - Closed from public bridleway number 3569 (TQ 106 313) to Stane Street (TQ 110 314)
• Reason: Due to the legal line of the route being blocked on the ground.

South Stoke

• Affected route: Path number 2266/1 - Closed from Swanbourne Lake (TQ 018 079) to the Black Rabbit pub (TQ 024 084)
• Reason: Due to path being blocked by fallen trees.

Steyning and Henfield

• Affected route: Path number 2563 - Closed from junction with bridleway number 3511 (TQ 195 132) to TQ 205 144
• Reason: Due to obstructing fence and missing bridge.

Storrington and Sullington

• Affected route: Path number 2683 - Closed from junction with public bridleway 2251 (TQ 084 128) east to junction with public footpath 2684 (TQ 088 127)
• Reason: Due to fencing and a general state of long-term disuse.

Sutton

• Affected route: Bridleway number 413 - Closed from the southern end of West Wood (SU 951 126), south east, to the junction with BW412 (SU 952 126).
• Reason: Due to obstructing standing trees.

West Grinstead

• Affected route: Path number 1847 - From Hookshile Wood (TQ 174 191) to the River Adur (TQ 177 192)
• Reason: Due to a missing bridge.

Westbourne

• Affected route: Path number 247 - Closed from the northern side of the A27 (SU 774 071) to the southern side of the A27 (SU 774 070)
• Reason: Due to the legal line being crossed by the A27.

Worth

• Affected route: Path number 41W - Closed from Snow Hill (TQ 343 398) to west of Prevetts (TQ 341 397)
• Reason: Due to the legal line being obstructed by two domestic buildings.

Worth

• Affected route: Path number 45W - Closed from north of Kenwards Farm (TQ 345 396) to Furnace Pond (TQ 348 392)
• Reason: Due to obstruction by eight domestic buildings and a missing bridge.

Yapton

• Affected route: Path number 326 - A section is closed to the west of Clays Farm between SU 976 039 and SU 977 038
• Reason: Due to the legally recorded line passing through buildings.

4 Permanent closures

To view the location, launch the iMap, select 'Path number' from the drop-down list and enter the relevant path, bridleway or byway number in the search box.

Kingston

• Affected route: Restricted byway number 3623
• Date closed: 9 June 1997
• Note: Closed to motorised traffic for the entire length of the path

Graffham

• Affected route: Restricted byway number 952
• Date closed: 31 January 2005
• Note: Closed to motorised traffic for the entire length of the path

Restrictions of use between Washington and Amberley

• Affected routes: Roads used as Public Paths (RUAPPs) Nos. 2673, 2092, 2693 and 2280 - RUAPPs is a previous category of right of way that were replaced by restricted byways in 2006.
• Date closed: 16 August 1989

Note: Closed to all vehicles except bicycles:

• Traffic Regulation Order Nos. 2673, 2092, 2693 and 2280 - Order (PDF, 61KB)
• Traffic Regulation Order Nos. 2673, 2092, 2693 and 2280 - Map (PDF, 468KB)

Supporting documents

• WSCC Revised Policy on the Management of Public Rights of Way Traffic Regulation Orders (PDF, 122KB)