Unavailable public rights of way routes

Check which routes are temporarily unavailable, and which have been permanently closed.

  1. About unavailable routes
  2. Temporary closures
  3. Unavailable paths
  4. Permanent closures

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.

Supporting documents

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, select 'Path number' from the drop-down list and enter the relevant path or bridleway number in the search box.

Aldingbourne/Barnham

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 200-1 - Closed from its western end at its junction with the A29, running in an easterly direction to its junction with public footpath 146 for a distance of approximately 2km as well as Public Footpath No. 296-1 from its junction with public footpath 200-1 south to Sack Lane for a distance of approximately 675 metres.
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months from 14 March 2018 until 13 September 2018, but it is hoped that works will be complete by early May 2018.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while drilling operations are undertaken.

Ansty and Staplefield/Cuckfield

  • Affected route: Public Footpath Nos. 103CR and 49CU - Closed from its junction with Public Footpath Nos. 69Cr, 65CR and 62CR north-east to its junction with Public Footpath Nos. 9CU and 66CR for approximately 350 metres.
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months from 2 May 2018 until 1 November 2018*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety as a tree has fallen onto a footbridge.

Ansty and Staplefield/Cuckfield

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 49CU and Public Footpath No. 103CR - Closed from its junction with public footpath 65CR, east to its junction with public footpath 9CU.
  • Duration: Closed until 1 November 2018*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety due to a fallen tree having damaged a footbridge.

Balcombe/Turners Hill

  • Affected route: Public Bridleway No. 3727 - Closed from its junction with bridleway 79W south-east to its junction with High Street, Balcombe for a distance of approximately 1.1km.
  • Duration: Closed for 21 days from 21 September 2018 until 11 October 2018.
  • Reason: Closed to protect public safety due to hazardous ground conditions.

Barnham/Aldingbourne

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 200-1 - Closed from its western end at its junction with the A29, running in an easterly direction to its junction with public footpath 146 for a distance of approximately 2km as well as Public Footpath No. 296-1 from its junction with public footpath 200-1 south to Sack Lane for a distance of approximately 675 metres.
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months from 14 March 2018 until 13 September 2018, but it is hoped that works will be complete by early May 2018.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while drilling operations are undertaken.

Burgess Hill

  • Affected route: Public Footpath Nos. 19aBH and 19bBH - Closed from public bridleway 3742 to public bridleway 18BH for approximately 510m.
  • Duration: Closed for 21 days from 17 September 2018 until 8 October 2018 and will be followed by another closure*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while heavy machinery is used for slope stabilisation work on the railway by Franklands Bridge.

Chichester

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 176 - Closed from its junction with the A27 north-east to its junction with Terminus Road for approximately 160 metres.
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months from 5 May 2018 until 4 November 2018.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while repairs are undertaken to the railway bridge.

Chichester

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 176 - Closed from its junction with the A27 north-east to its junction with Terminus Road for approximately 160 metres.
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months from 16 April 2018 until 15 October 2018, though it is anticipated works will continue for 16 weeks.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while development works are undertaken in the vicinity.

Crawley

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 1511 - Closed from its junction with Charlwood Road, south to its junction with Rectory Lane.
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months from 15 August 2018 until 14 February 2019*
  • Reason: To protect public safety due to a bridge being unsafe due to rotten timbers.

Hassocks

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 10C - Closed from their respective junctions with Deer Park, south to TQ212164, a distance from the road of approximately 215 metres.
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months from 27 August 2018 until 26 February 2019, and may be followed by an extension.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while development works are undertaken.

Haywards Heath

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 28CU - Closed from its junction with Fox Hill south-west to its junction with an East Sussex bridleway at the county boundary.
  • Duration: Closed for 18 months until 5 March 2020*
  • Reason: To protect public safety while development works are undertaken.

Heyshott

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 962/2 - Closed from its junction from Public Footpath No. 968 (SU900185) eastwards to its junction with Hoyle Lane (SU906185).
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months until 6 December 2018*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while ground works continue on site.

Henfield

  • Affected route: Public Footpath Nos. 2543 and 3508 - Closed from their respective junctions with Deer Park, south to TQ212164, a distance from the road of approximately 215 metres.
  • Duration: Closed for 21 days from 10 September 2018 until 30 September 2018, and may be followed by a further closure.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while surfacing works are undertaken.

Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 13Hu and Public Footpath No. 102CR - Closed from its junction with Cuckfield Road, east to its junction with Burgess Hill Road.
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months until 16 February 2019, though it is envisaged works will be completed in September 2018.
  • Reason: To protect public safety due to a fallen tree having damaged a footbridge.

Itchingfield/Southwater

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 1651 - Closed from its junction with the Westons Hill, south-east to its junction with public footpath 1645.
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months from 23 July 2018 until 22 January 2019*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety due to a staircase by the railway being in disrepair.

Kirdford/Fittleworth

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 3250 - Closed from its junction with Public Bridleway No. 3250 (TQ022227) westwards for a distance of 980 metres to junction with Wakestone Lane (TQ013229).
  • Duration: The existing closure will now continue in force until 8 June 2019 or until the works are completed.
  • Reason: The Order is necessary to protect public safety due to a washing-out of the bridge and a landslip, making the structure dangerous.

Nuthurst

Petworth

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 657 - Closed from its junction with public footpath 659 to its junction with public footpath 658 for a distance of approximately 175 metres.
  • Duration: Closed for 18 months from 9 February 2018 until 8 August 2019*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety due to an unstable wall. 

Pulborough

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 2333 - Closed from Mare Hill Road to Broomers Hill Lane.
  • Duration: The current closure will continue in force until 9 January 2019.
  • Reason: To protect public safety whilst contractors work to remove Japanese Knotweed that is blocking the route. 

Rustington

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 2132 - Closed from Station Road southwards to its junction with Elm Place.
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months until 12 February 2018*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety whilst construction works are undertaken on adjoining land.

Sidlesham

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 69 - Closed from its junction with Charlwood Road, south to its junction with Rectory Lane.
  • Duration: Closed for 21 days from 10 September 2018 until 30 September 2018 and will be followed by a further closure*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while surfacing works are undertaken.

Sompting

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 3083 - Closed from the field boundary at TQ175063 north past the Refuse Destructor for a distance of approximately 500 metres.
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months until 8 November 2018*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while agricultural improvement work is undertaken.

South Stoke

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 2269 - Closed from its junction with Mill Road, north-west to its junction with public footpath 2269_1.
  • Duration: Closed for 21 days from 17 September 2018 and will be followed by further closures until 16 November 2018*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while tree surgery works are undertaken for the control of ash dieback.

Southbourne

  • Affected route: Public footpath No. 202 - Closed from its junction with public footpath 3000, around Prinsted Point northwards towards the marina for a distance of approximately 465 metres.
  • Duration: Closed until 30 April 2019*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety due to an unsafe footbridge.  

Southwater

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 1661 - Closed from its junction with Houghton Bridge, following the river south to its junction with Worthing Road, a distance of approximately 180 metres.
  • Duration: Closed until 4 October 2019*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while construction works are undertaken adjacent to the path. 

Steyning

  • Affected route: Public Bridleway No. 3510 - Closed from its junction with public footpath 2600, generally east to its junction with public bridleway 2585_1.
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months from 20 August 2018 until 19 February 2019*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety due to a bridge being broken and unsafe.

Turners Hill/Balcombe

  • Affected route: Public Bridleway No. 3727 - Closed from its junction with bridleway 79W south-east to its junction with High Street, Balcombe for a distance of approximately 1.1 km.
  • Duration: Closed for 21 days from 21 September 2018 until 11 October 2018.
  • Reason: Closed to protect public safety due to hazardous ground conditions.

Westbourne

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 255 - Closed from its junction with Marlpit Lane for a distance of approximately 455 metres.
  • Duration: Closed until 4 September 2019*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while restoration work is undertaken.

Worth

  • Affected route: Public Footpath Nos. 1W and 2W - Closed from Copthorne Way (A2220) to Shipley Bridge Lane for approximately 1.9km.
  • Duration: Closed until 14 March 2019*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while adjacent land is prepared for development. 

Worthing

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 3114 and 3127-2 - Closed around their junction for approximately 180m north to south and approximately 310m west to east.
  • Duration: Closed for 12 months until 1 June 2019*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while ground works continue on site.

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.

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 west of Furzevale Wood (TQ 180 194)
  • Reason: Due to obstructing fences and 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 45bW - Closed from north of Kenwards Farm (TQ 345 396) to Furnace Pond (TQ 348 392)
  • Reason: Due to obstruction by eight domestic buildings.

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 obstruction by fences and a missing bridge.

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.

Graffham

  • Affected route: Restricted byway number 952
  • Date closed: 31 January 2005
  • Note: Closed to motorised traffic for the entire length of the path
Last updated:
28 September 2018

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