Where to Drive

[Tiny Tim]

So you just got a Pajero and want to drive it off road ?

Thinking the local woods or heathland would be just the job ?

THINK AGAIN !!!

If its privately owned you will be trespassing and even if its publicly owned you need to be on a vehicular right of way.

These arebasically Byways Open To All Traffic (BOATS) or Roads Used as Public Path (RUPP) - and we are about to use RUPPs

Even then check that it is not subject to a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) and therefore effectively closed.

Buy and Ordnance Survey Map and look for +-+-+-+

Or stick to commercial sites advertised in 4x4 Magazines such as Total Off Road

Better still ask some local 4x4 drivers or find your local Green Lane Association (GLASS) meeting place.

The law is changing, police powers are stronger, and your car could be confiscated if you drive in the wrong places !

[m3ncl]

iv"e found if in wales you certainy need a map chaps (and lasses)

[auto]

Erm....Can i just add to that tim?? Just an update really!

Just to confuse more, some byways have been downgraded and rupps have been reclassified as restricted byways or bridleways. CHECK YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITIES ONLINE MAP. Also contact the access officers...they are very nice peeps!

Also there are ucr's which are unclassified roads, these were meant to have been turned into byways but not many councils got round to it. These are plain white roads. Some are tarmaced, some are just lanes! Again look around and check with access maps/officers. The ucr's will look like greenlanes, except they have road signs along ...which is quite funny!

There is one near us which leads you down a hill into a 4 foot river crossing and has a sign saying 'ford', it just looks good on a road barely used!

[Steve Ray]

Only just seen this (well I dont come on very often ... sorry)

Only use BOATs (Byways Open to All Traffic) or ORPAs (Other Roads with Public Access) ........ check their legality on the GLASS website or the 'free' Way finder website to make sure they are lega lto drive - if in doubt, check the definitive map with the local authority RoW.  Post-NERC bill (mid-2006) all RUPPs have been down graded to restricted byways and no longer have vehicle RoW.

HTH

[MKZ Shogun]

If you want info on lanes in the Yorkshire Dales then drop me a PM as I'm the GLASS Rep for that area.