Current closures

  • Please take care when using the off road rights of way network during and after bad weather.
  • There may be unreported incidences of things like fallen trees, gullied out surfaces and bridges washed out of alignment.
  • Please report any safety problems you come across to row@iow.gov.uk. To help us find the site, a precise location (The what3words website is excellent for plotting the location), as well as a photo is really helpful to enable us to find the site.

Details of roads (tarmacked carriageway and footways/pavements) closed temporarily for repair/maintenance can be found on the Islands Roads website.

How to temporarily close a public right of way

If you wish to apply to temporarily close a public right of way in order to undertake works on or near the path you will need to contact the Public Rights of Way service to discuss the closure.  Please contact the service by email: rightsofway@iow.gov.uk or if it is an immediate emergency due to unforeseen safety reasons call 01983 821000 (9am to 5pm weekdays). 

There is a process to follow which will includes:

  • completing a formal application form
  • payment of a fee
  • you or your contractor will need to install and maintain the on site notices, closure signs and  / or barriers for the duration of the works

The Tennyson Trail - Byways permanently closed to motor vehicles

This is a series of Byways that are permanently closed to vehicles from Carisbrooke to Freshwater Bay (Public Byways N123, N128, N136A, N139, BS4, BS10, BS44, S26, BS53, F33).  They are permanently closed to vehicles pursuant to The Isle of Wight Council (Tennyson Trail, IW (Prohibition of Driving) Order No 1 2006.)   View a map of the closed route - Tennyson Trail, Byways (PDF, 3.47MB, 1page).

Permit scheme for blue badge holders

A permit scheme is available to blue badge holders, licensed hackney carriages (taxis) and community vehicles between 1 April and 30 September annually. 

Application Process

For further information or guidance please contact Public Rights of Way by completing the online send a message to service form, alternatively find our contact details in the 'Contact' section. 

Footpaths and Bridleways - pedestrians, equestrians and cyclist closures 

Brighstone

  • Public Footpath BS59/BS69 coastal path rear of the Brighstone Holiday Centre remains closed due to landslips. The alternative route will be either the Military Road verge or the footpaths BS61/62, Chilton Lane and footpath BS68 on the opposite side of the Military Road.
  • Public Footpath BS72 beach access steps at Chilton Chine have been closed due to damage.
  • Public Footpath BS1 (part of the coastal path) has been closed, November 2023, between its junction with SW25 at Shepherd Chine and its junction with path BS2 behind the old Atherfield holiday camp due to landslips and the loss of the beach access steps. The alternative route during the period of closure will be path BS2, Military Road and path SW25.
  • Public Footpath BS58 bridge east of Grange Chine (part of the coastal path) has been closed, November 2023, between its junction with path BS17 and its junction with path BS57 at Grange Farm due to the loss of a bridge. The alternative route during the period of closure will be path BS17, Military Road and path BS57.
  • Public Footpath BS103 beach access steps at Brook Chine has been closed, November 2023, because the steps are damaged.

Bembridge

  • Part of the Public Footpath BB10 (coastal path) is closed between Forelands Field Road (Crab and Lobster end of path) and Public Footpath BB14.

Chale

Freshwater

  • Public Footpath F13 beach access steps at Brambles Chine have been closed, November 2023. As the beach steps have been damaged. During the period of closure the alternative route will be Path F10, Colwell Road and Madeira Lane / path F13a and the beach.
  • Part of Public Footpath F35 (coastal path) has been closed at Afton Down, this is because of a void that has opened up next to the path at a very narrow steep point. The diversion will be on the opposite side of the Military Road using byway F33 and bridleway F34.

Godshill

  • Part of Public Footpath GL62 - (Bats Wing path) between the steps to the Church and Church Hill (the part between the garden hedges) has been closed because of a damaged retaining wall.  The alternative route will be via Church Hollow & Church Hill or the Church.
  • Public Footpath GL17 / NT93 between Roud Road and Ford Farm Lane has been closed 28 February 2024 due to a damaged footbridge. The alternative route will be on the local road network.
  • Part of the Bridleway GL23 has been closed in the interests of public safety whilst work takes place in the close by adjacent building site, the bypass will be via Yarborough Close.  The closure is anticipated to be required until September 2024.
  • Part of Public Bridleway GL60 between Dolcoppice Lane and Public Footpath GL26 (near the Hermitage) will be closed from Tuesday 7 May and Thursday 23 May 2024 as surfacing works will be carried out.

Gurnard and Thorness

  • Public Footpaths CB24 / CS17 / CS16 (part of the coastal path) have been closed, November 2023, between its junction with Rew Street and its junction with path CB29 due to landslips. During the period of closure the alternative route will be Rew Street and then Public Footpaths CS3, CB23, CB1.

Lake

  • Public Footpath SS20 between Newport Road and Ninham Farm is closed due to flooding / unsafe (boggy) ground conditions. During the closure the alternative route will be Bridleway SS18a, Byway SS18 and Newport Road.

Newport

  • Public Bridleway N138 Bowcombe located between Bridleway N142 off Bowcombe Road and Bridleway N137 has been close due to surface damage. The alternative route will be N142, Bowcombe Road and N137.
  • Public Bridleway N203 at Rowridge has been closed between Rowridge Lane and paths CB21/BS6, this closure is required because of surface damage. The alterative route will be rights of way N198, N136a, N139, BS4 & BS6.
  • Public Footpath N104 between Clatterford Shute and Bridleway N101 near Plaish Lane has been closed 6th March 2024 this is in the interests of public safety because of extremely deep sinking mud.  The path will be reopened once the ground is sufficiently dry. The alternative route will be Bridleway N101 and Froglands Lane / Clatterford Shute.

Niton and Whitwell

  • The following Footpaths NT47, 48, 49, 50 and 51 are permanently closed under a Traffic Regulation Order because they are unsafe to use because of land slippage.  The paths will remain on the definitive map and will be periodically inspected in case of any changes to the land which would allow reinstatement. 
  • Public Footpath NT47 (Reeth Bay): closed between its junctions with Public Footpath NT42 and NT49.  No alternative route.  Please view a map of the closed section - NT47 (Reeth Bay) (PDF, 2.43MB, 1 page).
  • Public Footpath NT48 (Puckaster): closed from a point 233 metres south of St. Catherine’s Road to its junction with Public Footpath NT49.  No alternative route. Please view a map of the closed section - NT48 (Puckaster) (PDF, 2.43MB, 1 page).
  • Public Footpath NT49 (Puckaster): closed between its junctions with Public Footpaths NT47 and NT50.  No alternative route  Please view a map of the closed section - NT47 and NT50 .(PDF, 2.35MB, 1 page).
  • Public Footpath NT50 (Puckaster): closed between its junctions with A3055 Undercliff Drive and Public Footpath NT51.  No alternative route.  Please view a map of the closed section - NT50 .(PDF, 2.35MB, 1 page).
  • Public Footpath NT51 (Binnel Bay): closed between its junctions with Public Footpaths V99 and NT49.  No alternative route.  Please view a map of the closed section - NT51 .(PDF, 2.27MB, 1 page).
  • Part of Public Footpath NT38 at Castlehaven caravan park has been closed due to a landslip. To bypass the closure please use the National Trust land and Public Footpath NT40.
  • Public Footpath NT93 / GL17 between Roud Road and Ford Farm Lane has been closed 28 February 2024 due to a damaged footbridge.  The alternative route will be on the local road network.
  • Public Bridleways NT41/42/44 that form Castlehaven Lane and Public Footpath NT43 that leads onto them from St Catherines Road, Niton will be closed for 5 days from Monday 29 April 2024 to allow the private street works manager to undertake road repairs. There will be no access into Castlehaven Lane from the Footpath NT40 that leads from the National Trust land. There is no alternative route while the closure is in progress.

Shalfleet

  • Public Footpath S3 (part of the coastal path) has been closed due to damage to the wooden boardwalks. During the closure the alternative route will be Lower Hamstead / S28, Hamstead Drive / S27 and paths S30 & S32

Shanklin and Luccombe

  • Public Footpaths SS1, part of SS2 & SS6 are all closed due to the landslip at Bonchurch – there is no access to or from Leeson Road. There is no diversion available.
  • Part of Public Footpath SS2 (Coastal Path) has been closed in January 2023 due to a landslip near the Luccombe Village end.  During the closure the alternative route will be Footpath SS88 (part), signposted route over national Trust land and Footpath SS4.
  • Public Footpath SS3 (Luccombe Chine) is permanently closed pursuant to a Traffic Regulation Order from its junction with Public Footpath SS2 to the beach. This is because of land slippage. The path will remain on the definitive map and will be periodically inspected in case of any changes to the land which would allow reinstatement. Please view a map of the closed section - SS3 .(PDF, 2.07MB, 1 page). 

Totland and Colwell

  • Part of the Footpath T34 (coastal path) has been closed 15/11/23 due to a void under the seawall structure. The closed section is on the Colwell side of the landslip beyond the beach huts. It will not be possible to walk between Totland pier and Colwell Chine Road using the seawall path at the present time and the alternative route will be path T1.
  • The beach access steps at Public Footpath T22 at Alum Bay (The Needles) have been closed.
  • Part of Public Footpath T31 (coastal path) has been closed between the Waterfront pub and Widdick Chine, as voids have been found under the seawall structure. To bypass the closed section either use the beach at low tide or Footpath T32 at the Waterfront pub, Cliff Road and Footpath T33 at Widdick Chine.
  • Further part of Public Footpath T34 (coastal path) has been closed 23/02/24 because of a landslip.

Ventnor and Wroxall

  • Public Bridleway V24 at St Martins Down has been closed, November 2023. This is due to a landslip. During the period of closure the alternative route will be bridleways V23, V22, V21 Middle Barn Lane, and bridleways V27 and V26/V25.
  • Public Footpath V30 off Castle Road, Wroxall has been closed, November 2023. This is due to a landslip. During the period of closure the alternative route will be paths V31, V32 and V33.
  • Public Footpaths V65, V65c, SS1, SS2, SS6, V65a, V66, V65d, V65b, V67 all part of the Bonchurch Landslip site and coastal path have been closed, November 2023. This is due to landslips (the path called Devils Chimney V65c was already closed prior to this). There is no diversion available.
  • Paths V109 , V123 and SS6 have their entrances at Leeson Road closed, because at the current time there is no pedestrian access in this section of the closed Leeson Road.
  • Public Footpath V93a beach access steps at Orchard Bay have been closed, November 2023. As the beach steps have been damaged.
  • Public Footpath V124 has been closed between its junctions with Undercliff Drive and Public Footpaths NT51 and V99 at Binnel Bay because of a landslip. Please view a map of the closed section - Public Footpath V124; (PDF, 1.91MB, 1 page).
  • Public Footpath V65c (Devils Chimney) has been closed March 2023 due to landslip. No diversion available.
  • Public Footpath V75 has been closed due to damage to the pedestrian hand railings – the alternative route will be Bridleway V73, Inglewood Park and Footpath V76.
  • Public Footpath V93 (part of the coastal path) has been closed 10 April 2024 between Woody Bay and Orchard Bay at St Lawrence. This is because of landslips making the path unsafe.  To bypass the closed section please use Undercliff Drive.
  • Public Footpath V99 (part of the coastal path) at St Lawrence, has been closed 25 April 2024 due to landslips.  Alternative routes will be Undercliff Drive or the cliff top paths V77 / V78 / V79

Part of the Public Footpath BB10 (coastal path) is closed between Forelands Field Road (Crab and Lobster end of path) and Public Footpath BB14

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