Cumbria Green Lane Association working to preserve rights of way

Now you see them… now you don’t!

If you use green lanes, chances are you’ve spotted evidence of the massive effort the Green Lane Association, its members and other affi liated organisations put into keeping them open. Chances are also that you might never have noticed it.

Sometimes, the Association’s volunteers are very visible in what they do. On other occasions, it’s what you don’t see that demonstrates the effort they put in. This can mean fallen trees, litter, damaged ground, illegal blockages or, indeed, offi cial closure notices.

A good example comes from the

Association’s efforts in Cumbria over the last year. This is always one of the busiest parts of the country, as the lanes here continue to be so very popular.

Tilberthwaite Lane is one of the most popular of them all, even after the crass ‘repair’ work a few years ago which saw a beautifully rocky trail smashed down into a smooth ribbon of stone. Even after that, of course, maintenance remains an issue – and if you follow the Roadbook in this magazine, you’ll be blissfully unaware of the work GLASS has put in with the local authority to ensure the drains here are clear. Much as we liked the surface the way it used to be, the simple fact of it remaining undamaged by run-off is evidence enough that the Association has been busy behind the scenes.

GLASS has also been liaising with the local authority over repair work on Breasthigh Road, which is currently closed with a likely reopening date in the spring or summer.

‘Some of the more damaged areas, such as the deeply scarred uphill corner from the western end, are being re-profi led to allow water run-off to drain away without causing further damage to the track,’ reports GLASS’ Cumbria reps team. ‘Drainage of surface water is a major issue on our steep lanes and this is being addressed well here. Some of the culverts have also shown to be in need of repair or replacement.’ It’s not unreasonable to speculate that without GLASS’ involvement, Cumbria County Council might well have seen the damage as an opportunity to close the lane for good. Other, less democratic authorities certainly would, and opposing the bigoted anti-vehicle activity of rogue government is one of the areas in which the Association’s much more visible presence helps keep laning alive.

So too is the sort of public-facing exercise the reps were involved with recently at an Open Day at the Lakeland Motor Museum, which pulled in visitors from as far afi eld as Scotland. A welcome opportunity to wave the fl ag, and also to check out the Association’s new gazebo and exhibition materials, and the guy from north of the border went home with a special prize of an ‘I love GLASS’ CD (better known as Heart of Glass by Blondie) presented by the reps.

Even more visibly, GLASS continues to be involved with the local authority in marshalling open days on Gatescarth Pass. This is open once a month during the summer, by permit only and to vehicles with a maximum 100” wheelbase.

Permit days for 4x4s in 2023 are: • Sunday 2 April • Saturday 13 May • Friday 9 June • Sunday 9 July • Saturday 5 August • Friday 1 September • Sunday 1 October

‘The route is not suitable for beginners as it’s steep, narrow, rocky and twisty,’ cautions GLASS. But it’s also a sensationally exciting and fabulously scenic drive, so if your vehicle fi ts the guidelines for suitability and you feel confi dent in your abilities, you can apply for a permit via the Lake District National Park’s website.

Best of all, when you’re up there you’ll see GLASS’ marshals keeping an eye on the route to ensure it’s used safely and responsibly. And the actual process by which you apply for your permit in the fi rst place has recently been streamlined by the local authority in consultation with… GLASS. A perfect example in one paragraph of how the Association is looking after our green lanes, sometimes very visibly and sometimes behind the scenes.