Current closures

  • 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.
  • Report any safety problems you come across by email row@iow.gov.uk. 
  • To help us find the site please include:
    • a precise location - use what3words to plot the location
    • a photo if possible

Roadworks map: A map showing the Island roadworks and closures (which includes right of way closures) can be found on the Islands Roads website select Roadworks from their top blue info bar and the roadworks map can be seen from this page, you can move around the map or put in an address to find that location you want to look at.

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. 

Annual winter byway closure (motor vehicles) 2025/2026

The Isle of Wight closes its unsealed rural byway network over winter, to leisure motor vehicle, this is to try and protect the surfaces from damage.

The closure came into force from Wednesday 1 October 2025, and it is normally needed for about 6 months over the wet winter season. The closure is lifted in about April when we start to have dry weather, and the surfaces are drying out.

The closure doesn’t impact walkers, horse riders or cyclists or anyone with a lawful right to drive to their land or property accessed of one of the closed byways.

The winter byway closure locations are:

Arreton:

A25 (Great East Standen Lane) between its junctions with Burnt House Lane and Byway A28.

A28 (St George’s Down) between its junctions with Arreton Cross and approximately the entrance into Newport Golf Club off St Georges Lane.

Bembridge

BB37 (Peacock Hill) between its junction with the B3395 Sandown / Bembridge Road to a point approx 400 metres south of Hillway Road


Brading:

B13 (Galleyhorn Lane) between its junction with Byway B14 to its junction with Byway R63 (Attrills Lane)

B14 (Galleyhorn Lane) between its junction with Byway B15 / B15A to its junction with Byway B13

B21 (Ricketts Hill) between its junction with West Lane to its junction with Rowborough Lane

B33 (Kern) between its junction with Kern Lane to its junction with Brading Down Road

B35 between its junctions with Kern Lane and Byway NC45A

Brightstone:

BS76 (Hulverstone Lane) between its junction with Military Road to a point approx 110 metres south of Brighstone Road

BS86 between its junction with Byway BS89 to its junction with Dunsbury Farm Lane.

BS89 between its junction with Byway F55 to its junction with Byway BS53

BS100 (Riget Lane) between its junction with Military Road to a point approx 140 metres south of Brighstone Road

BS101 (Blind Lane) between its junction with Hoxall Lane to its junction with Brook Road

BS104 (Pitt Place Lane) between its junction with Hoxall Lane to a point approx 260 metres south of Brook Road

BS106 (Sheep Lane) between its junctions with Brook Farm Close and the Military Road.

Chale:

C32A (Ashbridge Lane) between its junctions with Appleford Road and Byway SW41.

Godshill:

GL30 (Bobbestone Farm) between its junctions with Lessland Lane and Byway NC33.

GL48 (Part) between its junction with Byway V57 until its junction with Bridleway GL51 (at car parking area)

Freshwater

F55 between a point approx 530 metres east of its junction with Military Road to its junction with Byway BS89.

Newchurch:

NC33 (Bobberstone Farm) between its junctions with Canteen Road and Byway GL30.

NC45A (Lower Knighton Lane) between its junctions with Byway B35 and its junction with Knighton Shute / Knighton Lane.

Ryde

R63 (Attrills Lane) between its junction with Byway B13 for a distance of approx 200 metres.

Shanklin:

SS17 (Lower Hyde Estate) between its junction with Byway SS87 (Upper Hyde Lane) to its junction with Bridleways SS18A / SS89 at New Barn Lane

SS18 between its junction with Bridleways SS18A / SS89 at New Barn Lane to its junction with A3056 Newport Road, Lake

SS87 (Upper Hyde Lane) between its junction with Cliff Bridge, on the A3020 Godshill Road / Victoria Avenue to its junction with Byway SS17

Shorwell:

SW41 (Ashbridge Lane) between its junctions with Emmett Hill and Byway C32A.

SW56 (Dungewood Lane) between its junctions with Kingston Road and its junction with Atherfield Road.

Ventnor:

V57 between its junction with Byway V62 and itsn junction with Byway GL48

V62 between its junction with Byway V60 at Week Farm Lane to its junction with Byway V57

Footpaths and Bridleways - pedestrians, equestrians and cyclist closures

Bembridge

  • Part of Public Footpath BB10 (Coastal Path) has been closed 20 November 2024 between Forelands Field Road and Footpath BB14.  This is because of concerns for land movement.  During the closure the alternative route will be Forelands Field Road, Howgate Road and Path BB14.
    Between What3 words speeds situates mashing and What3words unscathed zoos glaze

Blackgang

  • Coastal Path / Public Footpaths C11 and C11a – for a few hours on the evenings of Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 November 2025 the public footpath through the Blackgang firework firing and fall out zone will be closed to the public.
    Staff at Blackgang Chine will escort walkers through the site up to the start of the firework display when access will be stopped for around 15 minutes until firework firing is over.
    • This is the field on top of the cliff at Blackgang. Approximate Blackgang field diversion location -  what3words: ///windmill.relaxing.finally

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.
  • BS1 Coastal Path part of the footpath (including the beach access steps) at Shepards Chine / east of the old Atherfield Bay holiday camp (now called Sandy Lanes Resort) has been closed due to landslips in the chine and damage to the wooden beach steps. To safely bypass the closed area and rejoin the coastal path, please use the grass verge next to the Military Road. 

Chale

Freshwater

  • Part of Public Footpath F35 at Afton Down part of the coastal path has been closed 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

  • If you decide to walk on the Military Road and its verges take extreme care and be aware at all times of oncoming traffic and traffic approaching from behind you.

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

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.

Nettlestone and Seaview

  • Public Footpath R89 in Priory Woods has been closed 24/09/24 due to landslips.  During the closure, please use paths R74, R84 and R85 to bypass.

Niton and Whitwell

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

  • 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)
  • Public Footpath SS1 that runs between Leeson Road / Bonchurch Road https://what3words.com/lyricism.abruptly.bouncing and Public Footpath SS2 https://what3words.com/ghosts.shin.redouble has been closed for improvement work. The alternative pedestrian route is Bonchurch Road footway, and public footpaths SS6, SS5, SS4 and SS2.

Ventnor and Wroxall

Yarmouth

  • No current closures

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