| Green laning is a hobby which can easily get Land Rover owners a bad name if tackled in the wrong way. Mark Smith gives an introduction to the correct way to get started. | |
Green Laning is a hobby involving the driving of vehicles on the public highway. This is no different than the daily activity of every other motorist, however, it is just that the "Green Laner" chooses to drive generally on unsurfaced roads.
This article is targeted at the Land Rover enthusiast who is in-tune with nature, they will typically already enjoy the outdoors and the countryside. They may have used their Land Rover, Range Rover or Discovery for driving in the countryside before, but never normally venturing off the tarmac. Owning such a vehicle means that places out of the reach of the "ordinary" motorist may be explored and enjoyed. This does not involve "Rambo" style assaults on the countryside. When green laning, winching is rarely required, and mud plugging is not an option. Choose your route carefully and it may be enjoyed by the whole family, and in a largely standard vehicle.
Contrary to the comments of those trying to ban green laning, most lanes would benefit from some extra use, otherwise they will become overgrown and lost to even horse riders and walkers. Some lanes may however, already be over used and these should therefore be avoided.
There are several classes of road that can legally be driven. For beginners in green laning I would suggest that they stick to a class of road known as a BOAT. This is Byway Open to All Traffic. Other classes that are legally driveable include UCRs (Unclassified County Roads) and some RUPPs (Roads Used as a Public Path). However, far more research is needed to establish the rights to drive on these classes of road.
| Probably the first place to start is with the latest issue of the OS map. This will show some of the routes that can be legally driven (as long as no TRO signs are in place). You should look for any routes which are shown as BOATs, these are shown by a red, cross and dashed line on the Land Ranger (1:50,000) series of maps. Do not be surprised if you find hardly any of these on your map, in my County I only know of about 10! Using this information as a starting point you will then most likely need to do some further research. |
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The County Council’s Rights of Way officer will be able to provide information on your chosen route. If your County Council does not have a Rights of Way section, then the Highways department will hold the information. Local Council offices may hold copies of some of this data, more likely you will have to visit the main County Council buildings. Do not be afraid of doing this, my local Rights of Way department is very friendly and gladly provides the help needed. You should not even need to make an appointment when you go to view the "Definitive Maps" and the "List of Streets". These are legal terms and it can be important to ask to see these items by using the correct words. The Council is legally obliged to keep the List of Streets up to date and to show you if you request it. The Definitive Map is usually kept up to date also, though there is not a legal duty to keep one at all. They may make copies of these documents available for a small charge; alternatively, you may mark up your own OS map accordingly. This will give information on the minimum rights over a way. It may also be wise to ask if there are any limitations recorded on the Definitive Statement. This is a description that goes with the Definitive Map, it may record obstructions which may impede your progress when you actually get to the lane. Ask if there are any Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO’s) in force on the lane in question. These may be placed on a lane to stop its use if the conditions may cause damage. Check also for any schemes of voluntary restraint such as those operated by LARA that may be in force, these are not law but certainly a responsible laner should not drive a route if such a sign is displayed. The idea here is to stop abuse of a route before it becomes necessary for the Council to place a TRO on it. This should allow it time to recover naturally, preserving its availability for other enthusiasts. | ||||||||||
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My own vehicle is a short wheel base Series IIA, fitted with a standard 2¼ litre petrol engine. It has 205*16 tyres with a mud pattern. The only "special" equipment I carry is a towrope, a high lift jack and a jack pad (a piece of plywood 1 foot square to spread the load on soft ground). Highly specialised equipment is not needed if you are starting out green laning, indeed I have heard of people laning in cars such as Citröen 2CVs. One point to be aware of, especially if attempting laning in a ‘new’ vehicle is that it may pick up some scratches from overhanging bushes. Before driving an unfamiliar lane, it is wise to walk the whole length. This allows you to check for obstructions and ground conditions. The obstructions may take the form of something on or in the ground, fences or gates across the highway or may be due to overhanging branches. |
| At the start of the lane, or sometimes along the route you may see coloured
arrows fixed to posts. There will very often be a "finger post" showing
the correct direction of travel. Some Councils are better than others in
this respect, this is why it is usually necessary to perform some research
as described above.
Having walked the lane, you are now in a position to decide if it is suitable to be driven. Take in to account your own abilities, those of the vehicle and the conditions of the ground. If you are unfamiliar with your vehicle’s behaviour off the tarmac take special care. In such cases, it is suggested that if the lane goes down hill from start to finish, you should consider starting at the other end. This is so that it would be easier to get out of trouble if you decide that you can go no further. If the walk proves that the lane is suitable, you are ready for your first green lane. Engage low ratio (and centre diff lock on non-Series vehicles), this will give better traction and avoid wheel spin. Selecting this at the beginning will stop any damage to the lane that may otherwise occur. |
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Depending on the width of the lane, it may be wise to close your windows, this can prevent the end of a bush or branch which has been pushed gently aside, from whipping back and causing injury.
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Look for finger posts along the route. A sign with the correct way marks confirms you are on the right route and are within the law. It must always be remembered that you are driving on a public highway and that if you damage the surface so that it makes it difficult to be used by other users (remember this road is open to cyclists and walkers), you may be charged by the Highway Authority. You are subject to the same laws on the lane as when driving any other road. Your vehicle must be fully road legal, insured, taxed and with MoT certificate if necessary. It must be properly silenced, and seat belts must be worn. Also remember that you do not have extra rights over any other class of road user. It is good practice to stop when you meet other users, they may be walkers with children or horse riders who may not be expecting to find a motor vehicle on a little used lane. |
When drawing out from the lane make sure that you disengage 4 wheel drive on Series vehicles, or disengage the centre diff lock on later vehicles. Make sure also that you do not leave a trail of mud that may cause problems for other road users.
As you grow in experience and confidence with your green laning you may wish to tackle lanes which have obstructions. Having performed some research and read the Definitive Statement you will be in a position to know which are legal obstructions and which have been placed across the road illegally. The most common obstructions are barbed wire fences, these may be able to be cut and coiled up at the side of the lane. Note that if you replace an obstruction after you have passed by, you may be guilty of obstructing the highway yourself. Of course, you do not want to allow cattle to escape, so it is sensible to close even an illegal gate, but then report it to the Council. You may wish to note that obstructing the Queen’s Highway is an offence that carries the maximum sentence of life imprisonment! Occasionally an obstruction such as a gate may be found across the road. If this is properly recorded as a limitation on the Definitive Statement then you are allowed to do no more than open it. If however, it is not recorded or it is locked then you may be allowed to abate the nuisance. This means that you may clear the obstruction yourself. Points to watch here are that you must not take any items away, nor do any more damage than is necessary. This abatement must be carried out only by using items that would normally be found in your vehicle, e.g using a high lift to open a gate may be okay, but using Stihl saw or Oxy-Acetylene cutters would not (unless may be, you were a builder on your way to work). If there is an alternative route, it would be wise to take it and then give the Highways Authority the chance to clear the obstruction. You must report the obstruction to them and give them time to carry out the work. You may also be allowed to deviate from the route of the lane, in order to get around an illegal obstruction. Remember, I am not legally qualified, and any action you decide to take, you can be held legally responsible for its consequences. If you join a responsible club, they will be able to advise on these matters, and may hold insurance or other back up for cases like this. Check that any club is a member of LARA, the umbrella grouping which does the most to protect green laning.
With a little care and research of routes, green laning can become a very absorbing hobby. With confidence you may wish to try other classes of roads. It must be borne in mind that no one will do the research for you, and no one will defend you if you drive over land which does not have rights. However, the enjoyment to be had from "discovering" a route which has been unused for many years, is worth the effort.
Opening up a "lost" route will be covered in a future article.
