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 currently have three contacts within the club regarding greenlaning:

Your Rights of Way Officer is Simon Bareham.

Simon is ably assisted by two rep’s.

For East Suffolk: Dean Hendricks, and for West Suffolk: Wayne Clarke. It is hoped that one of the area rep’s can hold local green laning runs on a regular basis. Up to date details can be found on the web site, the SLROC forum or in Nooze.

These trips have to be limited in vehicle numbers to abide by the GLASS code of laning conduct, so admission will be on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. 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 20th 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 are usually referred to as:

·         Footpaths - foot traffic only

·         Bridleways - Foot, cycle and horse traffic only

·         RB -Restricted Byway (formerly Road Used as Public Path, or RUPP)- Same users as above

·         BOAT -Byway open to all traffic - As the name suggests, all traffic foot, cycle, horse and mechanically propelled vehicle.

·         UCR - Unclassified county road - these are generally minor country roads which are maintained by the highways authority and are open to all traffic

You may come across Byways that have TRO’s on them - this is a Traffic Regulation Order that restricts vehicles from driving them. Please do not drive any further if you encounter a TRO. Instead check the updated list HERE and if it does not feature please get in touch with the area rep’.

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

TRO updated list HERE (New Window)

Drivers 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 GLASS Area Representative. 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 GLASS Area Representative.

·         Travel at a quiet and unobtrusive pace and as slowly as practicable; we recommend a maximum of 12 mph when in a 4x4 and on an Unsurfaced 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 - four 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 need be, walk some or all of the route first to determine its suitability. Do not use URoW that maybe damaged by the wheel pressure applied by your vehicle.

·         Avoid damage 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. 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 supervision. Watch out for injured or trapped animals, and report all suspicious events to the landholder.

·         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