Basically no difference, a public ROW is just that so the public can use it 24/7/365.
but any dogs should be on a lead at all times & any pedestrians stick to the designated path.
It's the shooters responsibility to make sure safety is assured, a footpath is not "a highway" so the 50ft rule does not apply but if in any doubt the shooter will probably be judged to be in the wrong unless they can prove otherwise.