Byways open to all traffic
You can report a problem found on public rights of way (footpaths, bridleways and byways) in Central Bedfordshire to us.
Byways Open to All Traffic are often referred to as Byways or BOATs and used by vehicles, cyclists, horse riders and walkers.
Users of vehicles must ensure both themselves and their vehicle are road legal. This includes having a current licence, MOT, insurance, road tax and wearing any safety equipment (e.g. seat belt or helmet). Vehicle speeds on BOATs should be kept as low as possible. You should stop and switch of your vehicle for horse riders when meeting them.
Make sure you're legal
Please refer to this guidance regarding legal use of motorcycles.
Byways are used mainly as footpaths or bridleways and some have legal restrictions placed on them as detailed below.
Restrictions to use
Below are details of all the byways in Central Bedfordshire and any restrictions placed on them.
The Central Bedfordshire online map (link opens in new window) shows byways. In the address search facility you can enter a postcode which will take you to the vicinity of the path. Our description of each byway includes a postcode.
North 1
Edworth BOAT 9 and Dunton BOAT 18 known as Ashwell Green Lane - seasonal restriction - SG18 8RH - Grid Reference TL 226 422 to TL 253 417 (C184 to County Boundary with Hertfordshire). Length: 3990 metres.
Northill BOAT 24, known as Hatch Ford – Motor Vehicles, Motor Cycles and Carriages are permanently banned - SG19 1PS - Grid Reference TL 157 477 to TL 160 477 (Hatch Common to Brook End). Length: 280 metres.
Potton BOAT 7, known as Deepdale Lane – no restrictions - SG19 2LE - Grid Reference TL 210 502 to TL 207 495 (Everton Road to Deepdale). Length: 1075 metres.
North 2
Shillington BOAT 61, known as The Icknield Way- No motor vehicles allowed at any time - SG5 3JT - Grid Reference TL 118 289 to TL 131 300 (County Boundary with Hertfordshire to Hitchin Road). Length: 1770 metres.
Hulcote and Salford BOAT 11, known as Mill Lane - Grid Reference SP 931 392 – no restrictions, but the byway does not connect to any public road - MK17 8BQ - to SP 930 391. Length: 70 metres.
Millbrook BOAT 18 and Steppingley BOAT 15, known as Gypsy Lane - no restrictions - MK45 5AT - Grid Reference TL 000 376 to TL 003 359 (A507 to Prestons Lane). Length: 2630 metres.
Westoning BOAT 23 and Harlington BOAT 28, know as Sampshill Lane - Motor Vehicles and Motor Cycles are banned in a seasonal closure from the 1 October to the 30 April every year. The byway reopens for Motor Vehicles and Motor Cycles on 1 May - MK45 4SP - Grid Reference TL 050 320 to TL 053 313 (Sampshill Road to Harlington Road). Length: 1650 metres.
South 2
Aspley Guise BOAT 31, known as Mill Lane - Grid Reference SP 929 362 to SP 941 363 – no restrictions - MK17 8HP - (Burrows Close to Church Street). Length: 1440 metres.
Aspley Heath BOAT 27, known as Sandy Lane - Grid Reference SP 929 354 to SP 925 344 – Motor Vehicles and Motor Cycles are permanently banned. - MK17 8TF - (Church Street to BOAT 33). Length: 1080 metres.
Aspley Heath BOAT 33, known as Sandy Lane - Grid Reference SP 925 344 to SP 920 337 – experimental prohibition of more vehicles - MK17 8TS - (BOAT 33 to County Boundary). Length: 875 metres.
South 1
Chalgrave BOAT 29, Houghton Regis BOAT 43 and Chalton BOAT 9 known as The Boundway – Motor Vehicles, Motor Cycles and Carriages are permanently banned - LU5 6JL - Grid Reference TL 014 263 to TL 035 258 (New Barn Farm Lane to Houghton Road). Length: 2410 metres.
Dunstable BOAT 4, Totternhoe BOAT 12, known as The Drovers Way – Motor Vehicles, Motor Cycles (part) and Carriages are permanently banned - LU6 2AP - Grid Reference TL 007 214 to SP 991 222 (Tring Road to BOAT 47). Length: 1930 metres.
Totternhoe BOAT 1, known as Banbury Knapp and Coombe Green Highway - Motor Vehicles and Carriages are permanently banned - LU6 2BN - Grid Reference SP 975 222 to SP 984 219 (Castle Hill Road to BOAT 16). Length: 960 metres.
Totternhoe BOAT 2, Houghton Regis BOAT 35 known as Sewell Green Highway – Motor Vehicles and Carriages are permanently banned - LU6 1RP - Grid Reference SP 993 227 to SP 980 225 (Sewell Lane to BOAT 45) Length: 1420 metres.
Totternhoe BOAT 3, known as Quarry Green Highway – No restrictions. - LU6 1QG - Grid Reference SP 986 215 to SP 985 218 (Castle Hill Road to BOAT 42) Length: 330 metres.
Totternhoe BOAT 4, known as Houghton Green Highway – Motor Vehicles and Carriages are permanently banned - LU6 1QG - Grid Reference SP 991 213 to SP 998 220 (Dunstable Road to BOAT 12) Length: 1040 metres.
Totternhoe BOAT 5, known as Brewers Hill Green Highway – Motor Vehicles, Motorcycles and Carriages are permanently banned - LU6 1QR - Grid Reference SP 998 214 to TL 002218 (Dunstable Road to BOAT 12) Length: 580 metres.
Totternhoe BOAT 16, known as Coombe Green Footway - No restrictions - LU6 1QG - Grid Reference SP 984 218 to SP 985 218 (BOAT 1 to BOAT 42) Length: 95 metres.
Totternhoe BOAT 24 - Motor Vehicles and Carriages are permanently banned - LU6 2BT - Grid Reference SP 978 224 to SP 979 226 (Knolls View to BOAT 45) Length: 130 metres.
Totternhoe BOAT 42 & 45 - Known as Wheelbarrow Green Highway - Motor Vehicles (part), and Carriages are permanently banned - LU6 2BT - Grid Reference SP 979 226 to SP 986 215 (BOAT 24 to BOAT 3) Length: 1140 metres.
Totternhoe BOAT 44 & 47 - Known as Drovers Way No restrictions - Grid Reference SP 985 218 to SP 991 222 (BOAT 16 to BOAT 12) Length: 880 metres.