A green lane is a type of road.
In particular, a green lane is unsurfaced, and may be so infrequently used that there is no wearing of the surface, allowing vegetation to colonise freely, hence 'green'. Many green lanes are ancient routes that have existed for millennia. Modern traffic restrictions may apply. Many green lanes are open only to non-vehicular traffic, and are designated as a bridleway.
Green lane driving, using four wheel drive vehicles (SUVs) is popular with some, though has raised environmental concerns in some quarters.
Under rights of way (ROW) law, the concept of a "green lane" (and byway) doesn’t exist. The various rights of ways may be old roads (i.e. a green lane) but have different legal rights applying:
- A footpath has pedestrian rights.
- A Bridleway allows pedestrian, horse traffic and cyclists.
- A "Road Used as a Public Path " (RUPP) is being phased out and the status each RUPP in future is an issue of some debate (see below).
- A "Byway Open to All Traffic" (BOAT) which can be used by 4x4's (SUV's) and motorcyclists (that are road legal - because it has the same rights as any "normal" road). The latter two categories comprise about 3 to 5% of the total ROW network of England and Wales.
The various users of Rights of Way disagree (often passionately) about the other user’s rights. Walker groups (such as the Ramblers Association) advocate the removal of vehicular rights to BOATs and RUPPs. Cyclist and Equestrian groups fear for their rights, while vehicular groups perceive that some walker groups are trying to remove their rights.
The phasing out of RUPPS (numbers vary from county to county depending on the activeness of the local authority), leads to campaigners having to legally prove that vehicles can use route that they may have used for decades as a road - this raises fears in some people that vehicle groups are seeking to expand the routes they can use.
Jersey
In Jersey, a Green Lane is a road designated as priority for pedestrians, cyclists and horse-riders to which a 15mph speed limit applies.
See also
External links
Last updated: 08-05-2005 01:44:58
