Restricted Byway.

I have noticed in the Oxfordshire, Berckshire borderes that there a lot of "Restricted Byways".

Most are tractor damaged so beoned use

What I want to know is can I drive on a "restriced Byway" or is it for land ower acess only

If you can make head nor tails of it, have a read through this

http://www.laragb.org/an/AN-RBs.PDF

As i live in Berkshire and have a number of restricted By-Ways near me, they tend to have barriers or posts to stop vehicles, but allow horses, cyclists and walkers.

Some restrictions are made stopping use at certain times of the year. If I recall you have to check with the local authority to determine what actually the restriction is, because I don't think there is one answer for all restricted by-ways.

Mark

You arent allowed onto a restricted byway with a motor vehicle unless you have land or property you need to access.

Most farmers are on the look out for their own best interests.

In fairness the more people you have crossing your land the greater the risk of a gate being left open or not being closed properly.

It only takes the one time to lose a flock of sheep or cattle.

As usual, Im throwing the googly in the works, on a drunken night in what used to be my local in Capel Curig ( yes local lol ) I was chatting to two farmers ( who shall remain nameless to protect their land lol ) and the Snowdonia warden over a few pints and they agreed responsible 4x4 driver usage helps them no end, the reason is the farmer only goes to the top fields in summer, but through lack of use the lanes can get heavily over grown and this can cause the farmer more work cutting back the spring growth and anyone who has driven that sort of lane in summer can tell you the rate of plant grown is astounding, hence year round use keeps the growth back and eases access for the farmer.

Again this as emphasised is in a perfect world where reconcilable use is maintained.

Sir Doris is correct

You cannot legally drive a motorised vehicle along a Restricted Byway

The only unsurfaced rights of way you may drive a motorised vehicle are BOATS (Byways Open to All Traffic) and ORPA's (Other Routes with Public Access). Even so, BOAT's and ORPA's may be subject to a TRO (Traffic Regulation Order) either seasonal, temporary or permanent, and as such become illegal to drive a motorised vehicle along them.

Note the term "illegal" - if caught, you can be prosecuted.

Lawrence
Green Lane Association Member
http://www.glass-uk.org/

Thanks Lawrence.

That was the answer I was exspecting but need it put more simply than the confusing LARA publication.

Am I to asume that restricted byways wher once normal bayways?

I surspect the Gestarpo ramberlers are involved in all this byway confushion.

Restricted byways for the most part used to be open to all traffic untill a few years ago.

up until a few weeks ago there was a RUPP near me, it has a new sign now which says Restricted Byway

Most RB's (Restricted Byways) were originally (pre NERCA (Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act)) RUPP's (Roads Used as a Public Path) and could be legally driven with a motorised vehicle.

There is a process where we can apply to get some of them back but it is a long hard process.

Have a read through this for a little more information: viewtopic.php?f=44&t=971

Lawrence