Re: the news item Green lane drivers are a ‘danger to other users and property’
I have been a green lane driver for many years, and I am saddened by what’s happening to these lanes, not only in our area but across the country.
For years I was involved with the Green Lane Association, which has always promoted responsible use of green lanes and has a clear code of conduct, limiting the number of vehicles and the speed at which they are driven.
These runs were family days out and all about enjoying the countryside. So, what’s changed?
In the past few years. the price of used 4x4 vehicles has dropped significantly. This has led to many of them being used “off road” at so-called pay-and-play sites, and unfortunately also went on to mean many drivers looking for the muddiest lanes they can find and causing the inevitable damage we are now seeing.
The term “green lanes” has no legal meaning. They are more correctly called unclassified county roads (UCRs) or unsurfaced unclassified county roads (UUCRs).
They appear on the List of Streets, which recognises them as being maintained at public expense.
However, these are NOT being maintained due to current financial constraints.
Further, the overgrown fences that run alongside these lanes are the responsibility of the landowner.
Back Lane is a good example of the failure of the landowner to maintain and cut back the hedges which is why this is now down to the width of a footpath.
It should be noted that both Back Lane and Broomhill Lane are UCRs. The proposed development to build 140 houses here may mean these lanes will be lost forever.
Martin Sullivan, Kerdiston Road, Reepham