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
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
- to apply for a permit please download and complete the Tennyson Trail Permit application form (PDF, 4 pages, 33KB)
- please include a photocopy of your blue badge permit with your completed application form
- send the completed application form to: Public Rights of Way, County Hall, High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1UD or email a copy of the completed form to rightsofway@iow.gov.uk
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
Blackgang
- Public Footpaths C11 and C11awill
be closed for a few hours each evening (weather dependant and timings depending
on light levels) between Friday 18 October and Sunday 3 November 2024 in the
interests of public safety whilst Blackgang Chine fire fireworks from the
fields these paths run across. No diversion route as Blackgang staff will
escort walkers across the paths during the firework set up, but walkers will
need to wait for the actual firework firing to finish (15 to 20 minutes) before
being able to resume walking along the paths.
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 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.
Calboune
- Part of Public Bridleway CB21 between Mudless Copse and bridleways BS6 & N203 at Rowridge has been closed 30 July 2024 due to surface damage. There is no nearby off road alterative.
Chale
- Public Footpath C34 (path/steps in Whale Chine to the beach) is permanently closed pursuant to a Traffic Regulation Order due to ongoing landslips. No alternative route. Download a map of the closed section (Chale) Public Footpath C34 (PDF, 98.8MB).
Freshwater
- 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
- Public Footpaths F74/F75 in Afton Marsh Nature Reserve between Afton Road and Blackbridge Road will be
closed from Monday 14 October 2024 for a week, for repairs to a
bridge to take place. During the closure the alternative route will be
Afton Road and Blackbridge Road.
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
- Part of the Bridleway GL23has 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 Footpath GL28 running across Central Mead which is between School Road and the Old Smithy car park, Godshill will be closed from Monday 5th August 2024 to Thursday 31st October 2024. The closure is required in the interested of public safety to allow works to take place as approved under planning permission 21/00385/FUL Demolition of existing 'pavilion' building; Proposed community centre together with driveway and car parking; proposed play area; footpath network together with upgrading of driveway from High Street into Central Mead. During the closure the alternative route will be School Road, High Street and Old Smithy car park.
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.
Newport
- Public Footpath N132 which is between Bowcombe Road and Footpaths N134/N133 will be closed intermittently as and when needed in the interests of public safety, 9am to 5pm weekdays for tree works between May and September. For confirmation of exact dates please contact Georgina Lorenzen at BCM on 01983 828800
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.
- Part of Public Footpath NT46 at Castlehaven has been closed on 3 May 2024 because of an unsafe structure immediately adjacent to the path. The location of the closure is between the southwest corner of the village green and the end of the seawall behind Beach Cottage. There is no alternative route.
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 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)
- Public Bridleway NC37a in America Woods, Shanklin has been closed 24/09/24 due to damaged bridges.
Works are taking place to repair them, and the closure is estimated to be
needed for 2 weeks. The nearby Public Bridleway SS19 can be used as an
alternative route during the closure.
Totland and Colwell
- Steps on Public Footpath T23 between the Needles Pleasure Park and path T22 have been closed 07/10/24 as the wooden steps are damaged. During the closure bypass on Alum Bay New Road and Footpaths T17 and T22.
- 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.
Ventnor and Wroxall
- 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, SS2, 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 has its entrance at Leeson Road closed, because at the current time there is no pedestrian access in this section of the closed Leeson Road.
- 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. Access to the beach is still possible at the Orchard Bay end via the beach steps.
- 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
Wootton
- Public Footpath N216 off Woodside Road will be closed for its whole length, from Thursday 8th August 2024 until the end of September 2024 in order that works can take place as approved under planning application 23/02136/FUL during the closure there is no alterative route.
Yarmouth
- Public Footpath Y11a
(steps to Tennyson Road only) have been closed 9 September 2024 as
they have been damaged. During the closure use Yarmouth Common to
reach Tennyson Road or the steps to the Bouldnor viewpoint car park.