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.

2 Temporary closures

WSCC is following Government advice regarding the closure of Public Rights of Way in response to COVID-19. The network currently remains open and legislation does not exist that would allow WSCC, as Local Highways Authority, to close paths due to COVID-19 at this time. Should this change, we will respond accordingly.

Current advice is that, with appropriate social distancing in place, it is possible to use local Public Rights of Way responsibly. Please make sure you wash you hands thoroughly when returning home from walking on Public Rights of Way as you will have touched gates and stiles that may have been used by others.

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.

Ansty and Staplefield

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 23CR - Closed for a distance of approximately 850 metres from its junction with Footpath No. 24CR (TQ279241) heading eastwards to its junction with Deaks Lane (TQ287242).
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months from 15 March 2021 until 14 September 2021.
  • Reason: To protect public safety due to a footbridge having fallen into disrepair.
  • Map: FP23CR (PDF, 346KB)

Ansty and Staplefield

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 104CR - Closed for a distance of approximately 220 metres at location TQ331222.
  • Duration: Closed for 24 months from 21 July 2020 until 20 July 2022*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while development works are undertaken on adjacent land.
  • Map: FP104CR (PDF, 175KB)

Balcombe

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 26Ba (part) - Closed from its junction Public Footpath No. 4Ba (TQ311311) heading southwards to its junction with Public Footpath No. 5Ba (TQ311310) for a distance of approximately 130 metres.
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months from 31 March to 30 September 2021, and may be followed by a further closure.
  • Reason: To protect public safety due to a footbridge having fallen into disrepair.
  • Map: FP26Ba (PDF, 355KB)

Billingshurst

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 780_1 - Closed from its junction with public bridleway 755 (TQ038238), east to its junction with public footpath 780_2 (TQ045237), a distance of approximately 725 metres.
  • Duration: Closed for a further 18 months until 29 October 2022.
  • Reason: To protect public safety due to a damaged footbridge.
  • Map: FP780_1 (PDF, 277KB)

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 790 metres.
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months from 1 July to 31 December 2021 and may be followed by a further closure.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while development works are undertaken.
  • Map: FP3377 (PDF, 390KB)

Fernhurst

  • Affected route: Public Bridleway No. 1265 (part) - Closed from its junction with Public Footpath 1264 (SU879282), running in a southerly direction to its junction with Public Footpath No. 1264 (SU879281), a distance of approximately 75 metres.
  • Duration: Closed from 1 June until 21 June 2021, and will be followed by a further closure.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while renovation works are undertaken on the dam.
  • Map: BW1265 (PDF, 359KB)

Fernhurst

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 1092 - Closed from its junction with Surney Hatch Lane (SU907269) eastwards to the field boundary at SU909269, a distance of approximately 210 metres.
  • Duration: Closed from 4 February 2021 until 3 August 2021*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while development works are undertaken.
  • Map: FP1092 (PDF, 322KB)

Hassocks

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 5K - Closed from the field boundary on the west side of the railway (TQ306164) generally easterly to its junction with Public Footpath No. 11K (TQ308163), a total distance of approximately 220 metres.
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months from 23 June 2021 until 22 December 2021 and will be followed by a further closure.
  • Reason: To protect public safety on request from Network Rail, with support from the Police and WSCC Public Health Team.
  • Map: FP5K (PDF, 382KB)

Hassocks

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 9C - Closed from its junction with Public Footpath No. 10C (TQ297163) generally easterly to its junction with London Road (TQ302164), a total distance of approximately 535 metres.
  • Duration: Closed for 15 months until 18 July 2021*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while property development works are undertaken on adjacent land.
  • Map: FP9C (PDF, 203KB)

Haywards Heath

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 28CU - Closed from Fox Hill (TQ337219) generally westwards to its junction with the county boundary (TQ333217), a total distance of approximately 430 metres.
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months until 21 January 2022.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while development works are undertaken.
  • Map: FP28CU (PDF, 334KB)

Kirdford/Plaistow

  • Affected route: Footpath No. 564 - Closed from its junction with footpath No. 627, east to its junction with restricted byway No. 633, a distance of approximately 1.7km; Restricted Byway No. 639 - Closed from its junction with footpath No. 627, south to its junction with restricted byway No. 640, a distance of approximately 1.1km; and Byway No. 3519, which runs parallel to a section of footpath No. 564 - Closed from its junction with restricted byway No. 639, east to its junction with restricted byway No. 633, a distance of approximately 710 metres.
  • Duration: Closed until 24 June 2022*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while works are undertaken to decommission the anaerobic digestion plant.
  • Map: FP564, RB639, Byway 3519 (PDF, 324KB)

Lancing

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 2048, from its junction with Old Shoreham Road (TQ204059) generally southerly for a distance of approximately 270 metres.
  • Duration: Closed until 13 September 2021*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while surface reinstatement works are undertaken.
  • Map: FP2048 (PDF, 325KB)

Milland

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 1194, from its junction with Footpath 1195 (SU846272), generally southerly for a distance of approximately 1.3km, to its junction with FP 3540 (SU848259).
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months from 18 August 2021 until 17 February 2022.
  • Reason: To protect public safety due to an unsafe bridge.
  • Map: FP1194 (PDF, 317KB)

Pagham

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 100, from its junction with Public Footpath No. 106 (SU887851) generally in a easterly direction to its junction with Pagham Road (SU891841) for a distance of approximately 425 metres.
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months from 23 July 2021 to 22 January 2022.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while road widening and resurfacing works are undertaken.
  • Map: FP100 (PDF, 360KB)

Plaistow

  • Affected route: Public Bridleway No. 636, from its junction with Restricted Byway No. 600 (SU982296) generally in a north-easterly direction to oits junction with Public Footpath No. 621 (SU994303) for a distance of approximately 1.5 kilometres.
  • Duration: Closed until 30 September 2021*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety due to a broken bridge.
  • Map: BW636 (PDF, 383KB)

South Stoke

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 2266 - Closed from its junction with Mill Road, eastwards to the River Arun.
  • Duration: Closed for 21 days until 4 July and then for 6 months until 4 January 2022, though works are planned for the autumn.
  • Reason: To protect public safety due to Ash Dieback Disease affecting trees adjacent to the route.
  • Map: FP2266 - 21 day notice (PDF, 242KB)/6 month notice (PDF, 236KB)

Southwater

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 1669 (part) - Closed from its junction Blakes Farm Road (TQ162278) heading northwest to where the path reaches existing housing (TQ168278), a distance of approximately 90 metres.
  • Duration: Closed until 28 October 2021*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while development works are undertaken on adjacent land.
  • Map: FP1669 (PDF, 317KB)

Southwater

  • Affected route: Public Bridleway No. 3568_1 - Closed from its southern end at its junction with Church Lane (TQ153263), running in a northerly direction to the junction with BW3568 (TQ153265). a distance of approximately 200 metres.
  • Duration: Closed for 21 days from 18 August until 7 September 2021, and will be followed by a longer-term closure.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while development works are undertaken.
  • Map: BW3568_1 (PDF, 303KB)

Turners Hill/Balcombe

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 76W - Closed where it crosses the bridge at TQ320336. A temporary pedestrian bridge has been provided to one side to allow access.
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months from 25 April 2021 until 24 October 2021*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety due to the bridge having fallen into disrepair.
  • Map: FP76W/21Ba (PDF, 351KB)

Washington

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 2604, its junction with The Hollow (SU878054), running in a north-easterly direction to its junction with Public Footpath No. 2616 (TQ130143), a distance of approximately 1km.
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months from 2 February until 2 August 2021, which will be followed by a further closure.
  • Reason: To protect public safety due to a broken footbridge.
  • Map: FP2604 (PDF, 242KB)

Wisborough Green/Billingshurst

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 780_1 - Closed from its junction with public bridleway 755 (TQ038238), east to its junction with public footpath 780_2 (TQ045237), a distance of approximately 725 metres.
  • Duration: Closed for a further 18 months until 29 October 2022.
  • Reason: To protect public safety due to a damaged footbridge.
  • Map: FP780_1 (PDF, 277KB)

Worth

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 45W - Closed from its junction with Footpath No. 43W (TQ345396) eastwards then southerly to the junction with Footpaths Nos. 49W/50W (TQ348392), a total distance of approximately 575m.
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months from 25 November 2020 until 24 May 2021.
  • Reason: To protect public safety due to a footbridge having fallen into disrepair.
  • Map: FP45W (PDF, 250KB)

Worthing

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 3114 (part) - Issue 34606 - Closed for a distance of approximately 135 metres where it runs alongside Fulbeck Avenue around the location TQ107047.
  • Duration: Closed for 21 days from 6 September - 26 September 2021 and will be followed by a longer closure.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while development works are undertaken.
  • Map: FP3114 (PDF, 339KB)

Worthing

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 3114 (part) - Issue 34255 - Closed from its junction with Public Footpath 3127_2 (TQ110052), running in a northerly direction for approximately 340 metres to TQ110056.
  • Duration: Closed for 6 months from 9 September until 8 March 2022*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while development works are undertaken.
  • Map: FP3114 (PDF, 288KB)

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 from 21 June until 20 December 2021 and will be followed by a further temporary path closure.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while development works are undertaken.
  • Map: FP357 (PDF, 416KB)

Yapton

  • Affected route: Public Footpath No. 167 - Closed from its junction with Burndell Road (SU982030) south-south-west to its junction with Public Footpath No. 166 (SU981027) for a distance of approximately 310 metres.
  • Duration: Closed for 12 months from 8 May 2021 until 8 May 2022*.
  • Reason: To protect public safety while development works are undertaken.
  • Map: FP167 (PDF, 277KB)

Yapton

  • Affected route: Affected route: Public Footpath No. 326 - Closed where it goes across the railway for a distance of approximately 75 metres at SU974043.
  • Duration: Closed until 3 February 2022 or until works are complete.
  • Reason: To protect public safety due to the footbridge having fallen into disrepair. Please contact Network Rail on 0345 711 4141 with any enquiries.
  • Map: FP326 (PDF, 267KB)

3 Unavailable paths

WSCC is following Government advice regarding the closure of Public Rights of Way in response to COVID-19. The network currently remains open and legislation does not exist that would allow WSCC, as Local Highways Authority, to close paths due to COVID-19 at this time. Should this change, we will respond accordingly.

Current advice is that, with appropriate social distancing in place, it is possible to use local Public Rights of Way responsibly. Please make sure you wash you hands thoroughly when returning home from walking on Public Rights of Way as you will have touched gates and stiles that may have been used by others.

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 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.

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

WSCC is following Government advice regarding the closure of Public Rights of Way in response to COVID-19. The network currently remains open and legislation does not exist that would allow WSCC, as Local Highways Authority, to close paths due to COVID-19 at this time. Should this change, we will respond accordingly.

Current advice is that, with appropriate social distancing in place, it is possible to use local Public Rights of Way responsibly. Please make sure you wash you hands thoroughly when returning home from walking on Public Rights of Way as you will have touched gates and stiles that may have been used by others.

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:

Supporting documents

Last updated:
9 September 2021
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