An increasing number of club members have shown an interest in green laning and have been asking if the club could do more events trips etc.  The answer is hopefully yes. We now have four contacts within the club regarding green laning. Rights of Way – Norman Southgate.

One rep for East Suffolk, Andy Cutting and for West Suffolk, Wayne Clarke. It is proposed that one of the area reps will hold local green laning  drives at least once a month. Up to date details can be found on the web site or in Nooze.

These trips will be limited to 5 vehicles so they will be on a first come first served basis. So not to disappoint anyone, any late Comers will get first priority on the next trip out should they wish to take part.

What is Green Laning

Green laning is the driving of the many unsurfaced tracks and roads throughout the countryside that have vehicular rights. Some of these, date back thousands of years connecting farms, villages and market towns, but during the early 20^th century most roads were covered with hard surfaces. Some of them (not many unfortunately) escaped this fate and still have Vehicular Rights of Way today. These tracks, roads are usually known as

BOAT – Byway open to all traffic.

RUPP – Road used as public path.

UCR’s – Unclassified country roads.     

Not all Rupps have vehicular rights of way so you must be sure that they do before you drive them, also you may come across Byways that have TRO’s on them this is a Traffic Regulation order which restricts vehicles from driving them. 

If you drive lanes on your own or with others, as members of SLROC we would wish you to follow the Drivers Code of Conduct and the Country Side Code.

Code of Conduct

• Use only rights of way with known, proven or provable vehicular rights. If challenged, discuss; if not resolved, then leave as requested until status is rechecked.
   
• Keep to the defined track. Detour only to pass immovable obstructions. Report any obstructions (including low branches) to the highway authority and the local SLROC area representative or RoW representative or contact. Be critical of your own abilities and equipment when assessing an obstruction; it is your right to abate a non-lawful obstruction, but do not commit yourself to a bigger task than you are equipped for.
   
• If the route is not obvious on the ground, ask locally, or check on the maps held at the Highway Authority Offices or consult the local SLROC area representative or the RoW representative or RoW contact.
   
• Travel at a quiet and unobtrusive pace and as slowly as practicable; we recommend a maximum of 12mph when in a 4x4 and on an non surfaced right of way (URoW). Ensure your vehicle is fully road-legal, URoW are subject to the same laws as surfaced roads.
   
• When travelling in groups, keep to a small number - ideally five or less. Split larger parties up and either use a different route or allow a good interval to elapse before following.
   
• Do not travel on URoW when they risk being affected beyond a point of natural recovery once the weather improves. If needbe, walk some or all of the route first to determine suitability. Do not use URoW which may be damaged by the wheel pressure applied by your vehicle.
   
• Avoid damaged to trees, hedgerows and boundaries. Some roads carry vehicular rights but are physically too narrow for 4x4s.
   
• Do not practice recovery techniques on any URoW. Use a winch only with extreme caution, and use only the correct equipment and techniques.
   
• Be courteous to other road users - pull over and stop your vehicle for walkers, but pull over, stop your vehicle and switch off the engine for passing horses; the same courtesy should also be shown to walkers with dogs, if the dogs show the least sign of nervousness round vehicles. Thank those who move over for you.
   
• After consultations with Country Landowners Association and National Farmers Union HQ's, "best practice" dictates that gates, if they were found to be secured in an open position, should be left open and those, which are found shut or swinging, should be shut behind you; the landowner might appreciate being told about a gate insecurely propped open if you see them.
   
• Keep dogs and children under close control. Watch out for injured or trapped animals, and report all suspicious events to the landowner.
   
• Guard against all risks of fire. Take your litter home and that left by others if you see it, wherever practicable. Plastic bags can suffocate stock if swallowed. Help to keep all water clean. Remember that wildlife faces many threats and URoW are valuable habitats. Take special care in Spring and early Summer.
   
• Follow the country code, but be aware that it is for your guidance only.

For more information mail Simon Bareham