Countryside Access
NPT Council manages the Public Rights of Way network and other sites in the County Borough which provide many opportunities for people to access and enjoy the countryside.
For definitions of the various types of access routes and land see our Access Rights page.
Rights of Way
The rights of way network includes footpaths, bridleways and byways which are maintained by the Highway Authority. The plan shows these by way of coloured lines. For information there are no recorded restricted byways within the County Borough. This map is only shown as a guide, please contact the email address below for more detailed information. The highways shown on the plan do not include other publicly maintained highways such as adopted highways.
Information relating to these highways can be obtained by visiting this page.
Legal Notices/Public Path Orders
To view the current legal notices and public path orders please visit the Legal Notices/Public Path Orders page.
Maintenance of Public Rights of Way in Neath Port Talbot
A guidance page, which clarifies the role that we have with regards the day to day maintenance of Public Rights of Way in Neath Port Talbot, can be seen here.
Rights of Way Improvement Plan – ROWIP
NPT Council has a statutory duty to produce a Rights of Way Improvement Plan which is the main way that councils identify, prioritise and plan for improvements to their local rights of way network and access to the countryside.
The ROWIP for Neath Port Talbot was initially produced and published for the period 2008-2018. Following an extensive period of assessment and consultation, a draft ROWIP was written, and subsequently approved by the Council on 20th March, 2020.
In delivery of the ROWIP, the Council is seeking to ensure that countryside access provision in Neath Port Talbot provides the best opportunity possible for residents and visitors to enjoy the benefits it provides. The Plan outlines a number of objectives to be delivered, including maintenance and improvement of the rights of way network, promoting and supporting access to the countryside in general, maintaining records and information on the network, and ensuring that access provision meets the needs of all users.
Responses in relation to the comments received, highlighting proposed changes to the document where relevant, can be found in Appendix 1 here
“The new Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Neath Port Talbot outlines the Council’s vision and commitments to protecting, maintaining and improving this resource into the future. Whilst the quality and accessibility of the physical resource remains at the core of the revised Plan, we also believe passionately that our countryside should serve the needs of all people for recreation, health and well-being, therefore will also be focusing our efforts on maximising the number and range of people who are able to enjoy the benefits of our natural environment.”
Councillor Annette Wingrave (Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Sustainable Development)
Definitive Map
The Definitive Map is NPT Council’s legal record of all the registered Public Rights of Way in NPT. The map shows public footpaths, bridleways and some vehicular rights of way.
A working copy of the Definitive Map and Statement can be viewed at the Council offices at The Quays, Briton Ferry - strictly by appointment only.
Local Access Forum – LAF
The Local Access Forum is made up of people with an interest in improving access to the countryside. It provides advice to the Council on how this should be achieved. All meetings are open to the public. For further information please contact the Countryside Team.