Green Lanes are a generic term for what are basically unsurfaced roads. They are still "roads" as far as the Law is concerned, so all the usual rules you have are carried over.

There are 5 levels of "Rights of Way" within England and Wales:

Footpaths. Shown on the Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 maps as ................

They have no vehicular access other than prams, pushchairs and wheel chairs. Officially even Disabled scooters cannot use them. Driving on them can result in a hefty fine, points and potentially the loss of your vehicle.

Restricted Byway. Shown on the Landranger maps as -.-.-.-. (but in line!)

Used to be called RUPPS, but were downgraded by the passage of the CRoW Act and then NERC Act. Now can only be used by the same people as Footpaths. No vehicular use.

Bridleways. Shown on the Landranger maps as - - - - - - - - -.

Can be used by all of the above plus horses and cycles. No vehicular use, including horse drawn..

Byways Open to All Traffic, otherwise known as BOAT's. Shown on the Landranger Maps as + - + - + - +

Does what it says, open to all.

All of the above come under the juristiction of the Local Authority Rights of Way Dept, or their equivalent in the National Parks, who keep a copy of the "Definitive Map" on which all of these RoW's are recorded. This map should be open for inspection at any reasonable time, and the more enlightened RoW Depts actually publish them on-line, for example the Lakes District and Kent. Some Councils try to be obstructive!

All of the above can be subject to temporary closure for various reasons by the publication of a Traffic Regulation Order, which must be published in the local Press and a copy posted on the start and finish and any access points to that RoW.

The fifth type of "route" is called Other Routes with Public Access, otherwise know as an ORPA.

Shown on the Landranger Map as . . . . These have vehicular access but are administered by the Highways Dept and are listed on their "List of Streets". Rarely found in Urban areas and increasingly being redesignated into the above types of RoW's.

Although all these are shown on the OS maps that cannot be used as evidence that you have a "right" to be there and you should always check with the Row Dept, however................. OS do state a disclaimer on all published maps.

On the 1:25000 Orange covered maps the designation is similar but in GREEN.

If arranging a "Green laning" trip there are various bodies that "oversee" the hobby and all have agreed a basic Code of Practice for their use. Typically this means:

no more than 5 vehicles in a convoy.

always stop or slow down for other users.

do not use a lane where you will damage it

always keep to the RoW

always carry a map.

Bodies are

GLASS http://www.glass-uk.org/

Tread Lightly http://www.treadlightly-uk.org/

LARA http://www.laragb.org/

CRAG UK http://www.crag-uk.org/

There is also a gentleman's agreement that map references of routes are NOT published on open forums, and that any photos published do not specifically state where they are taken. This is to try and stop the idiots going out and wrecking things. Lots of lanes have names and they are commonly used. Our past use of the Claerwen Dam lane is a good example of that.

For a while I was the RoW Officer for the Freelander Club and have contacts around the county so am always willing to advise on routes, but not for actually telling you where they are. If someone wants to organise anything and isn't sure then PM me the details and I will try to check. All I need is the 6 figure map references preceeded with the 2 letters of that 100k square

Graham - I thought you were the man!

A very useful and comprehensive coverage of the RoW subject and I'm glad to see that it's immediately pinned. It will get lots of use, for sure.

I'm sure this will be very helpful to many people.

Is anyone able to do the same for Scotland? I would if I could but I can't.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rights_of_way_in_Scotland

The above appears to be quite accurate, from the little I know.

From what I have gleaned there appear to be very few actual truly designated vehicular RoW's, although some of the Military Roads may have. This body do appear to be well versed but their web site I find terrible:

http://www.scotways.com/

http://en.wikipedia....way_in_Scotland

The above appears to be quite accurate, from the little I know.

Agreed. I live on such a road, privately owned but with a public right of way over it by virtue of it having been used by the public unhindered for many years.

Wikipedia: "The charity Scotways records and signs the routes". They may record them (and keep the list to themselves!!) but they sure don't sign 'em, not around here anyway.

From what I have gleaned there appear to be very few actual truly designated vehicular RoW's, although some of the Military Roads may have. This body do appear to be well versed but their web site I find terrible:

http://www.scotways.com/

Terrible, yes.

Some brief bits from the Scotways site are of interest:

"There are very few rights of way for motorised vehicles in Scotland. The total number is 142, and these have an average length of less than 1 mile. They are mostly short stretches of roads that have not been adopted by the local authority. Using a vehicle off-road is an offence except where disabled people use motorised wheelchairs or buggies."

Well, that may be the lawyers' position, but it isn't always what pertains in reality. Taking the road I live on as an example again: it's privately owned, it's unsurfaced, it's not gated, it has a ROW over it, and there is never an attempt by anyone to prevent its use by motor vehicles. I suppose they might change their tune if loads of people started using it.

Scotways make it clear they are not going to release their info on rights of way. On the other hand, I see they maintain their list in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage, and they, unlike Scotways, would be obliged to respond to a Freedom of Information request. As would local authorities, who also have records of rights of way, it seems. It looks like a project for someone with more time to spend than me.

One point to clarify. Use of vehicles is not permitted on FPs and BWs - but worth pointing out that the owner  of the land , or someone given consent by the owner, can of course do more or less what  he wants , including using the FP by vehicle  to access the land he owns .  

 

On a personal note, having had the misfortune to live somewhere popular for   recreational 4wd use  , both lawful and otherwise , please don't behave like a tw**t. 

http://gov.uk/right-of-way-open-access-land/use-public-rights-of-way 

Small correction to the OP,

Mobility Scooters and Powered Wheel chairs can 'officially' use footpaths.

(Unless some restriction because of power output has been applied which is highly unlikely in any of the 4 countries making up the UK.)

Edited 13 September, 20178 yr by Headinawayoffski

Further small correction: Restricted Byways are essentially the same as bridleways, not footpaths - horses and bicycles can use RBs.