The Mitsubishi Pajero Owners Club®

Charliegun · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 17:24 Post subject: Where to start....

Hello peeps

New member here. Have always fancied doing some off roading / green laning and now i have the beast to do it, why not?? Only thing is i have NO idea how to find out about it.... I am in the Bristol area. Anyone know how i get started and if there are any clubs local to me??

Cheers Very Happy

Google · Sponsor

paul_c2 · ****** Joined: 23 Feb 2009 Posts: 1396 Location: Cheshire

First place I'd look would be the OS map which covers your local area. Green lanes are BOAT (byway open to all traffic) and ORPA (other routes with public access), shown as crosses or dots. On the 1:50,000 scale (Explorer, orange cover) they're green; on the 1:100,000 scale (Landranger, pink cover) they're pink.

leebeelee123 · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 17:47 Post subject:

paul_c2 · ****** Joined: 23 Feb 2009 Posts: 1396 Location: Cheshire

Don't get stuck. Nobody plans to get stuck. Its good advice not to go out on your own, but if you do, don't take any risks getting stuck or make mistakes and always be prepared to turn back and find an alternative route, if you don't like the look of it.

Richie · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 19:09 Post subject:

Look up crag or green lane association in your area, get a contact, and join in.

OS maps are not the legal identity of access, the only sure way is the local 'rights of way officer' at the local authority.

Just because it is marked on OS map, doesn't mean you have legal access, 99% of the time signs will identify the lanes as open or closed etc, but not always.

Onan The Barbarian · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 19:09 Post subject:

Why not join a local club, Charlie? I've been out a couple of times with the guys from Bristol & West Off Road Club... http://www.bworc.org.uk/ They're a great bunch and they're local to you. There's some really experienced guys there and they'll show you what's what! Wink

Richie · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 19:10 Post subject:

Look up crag or green lane association in your area, get a contact, and join in.

OS maps are not the legal identity of access, the only sure way is the local 'rights of way officer' at the local authority.

Just because it is marked on OS map, doesn't mean you have legal access, 99% of the time signs will identify the lanes as open or closed etc, but not always.

John Pugh · **** Joined: 06 Nov 2002 Posts: 354 Location: North Wales

Bear in mind that the Rights of Way Department may well tell you that a UCR (Unclassified County Road) has no permitted vehicle access. This is because, in most cases, the Rights of Way people are not responsible for a UCR. That normally lies with the Highways Dept., who will give you an accurate answer. (But don't ask Highways about Rights of Way! Very Happy

)
Some Councils have combined the function into one Dept., but most are still separate, so phone them both!
Regards,

craigszxtt · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 22:48 Post subject:

i use http://www.trailwise.org.uk/gmaps/gmap.htm its a great site and keeps you legal!

Mr_Bonkers · * Joined: 20 May 2005 Posts: 23 Location: North Wales

I just tried to register on that trailwise site, but could not.
Apparently "You won't be able to register this way without a Registration Key issued by your parent organisation."
Would POCUK count as a parent organisation?

paul_c2 · ****** Joined: 23 Feb 2009 Posts: 1396 Location: Cheshire