Green Lane Association 4x4 users answer the call from residents in need

Green lane users to the rescue after countryside dwellers and local authorities approach Green Lane Association for help with management and repair issues on rights of way

It’s easy to assume that organisations representing green lane users only get involved in fi ghting to prevent rights of way from being closed, and that local authorities see them as a menace. But in fact, nothing could be further from the truth – as two recent incidents demonstrate.

The fi rst of these saw the Green Lane Association being contacted by Denbighshire County Council, on behalf of a landowner whose boundary gate and fence were in need of repair work. The issue here was that these were on a Byway Open to All Traffi c which runs between two farms, near Llangwyfan in the north of the county.

‘Over the years,’ reports GLASS’ resident superheroine Lauren Eaton, who’s currently covering the position of Denbighshire Rep in addition to all her other roles with the association, ‘the gate’s lower hinge had come loose and fallen out, making it diffi cult to open and close. The same thing had happened on a gate further up the lane. ‘We’d already done some clearance work on the lane after a storm the previous year, when windfall blocked the route and several large branches were left precariously hanging above the byway. So we were happy to return to help with the boundary repairs.’

Using materials provided by Denbighshire Council, the landowner and GLASS itself, a working party including volunteers from the association got down to work to re-hang the gate, using a new gatepost and latch, and instal fencing from the post to the boundary. With this done, they moved on to the next gate where they repaired the lower hinge.

‘The lane is really popular with walkers and cyclists, as well as laners and trail riders,’ explains Lauren. ‘It is no surprise, as the views from the top of the Clwydian Range are stunning!

‘Signage was installed to show that the route is a byway open to all traffi c – and that repairs had been made for the benefi t of all users.’

In the second incident, once again GLASS was the go-to point of contact – this time for the owners of a property at one end of a byway near the village of Cynghordy in Carmarthenshire. Sadly, they had been encountering problems with motor vehicles (mainly on two wheels) travelling too fast through their home.

‘They fully understand and accept that it is a public right of way, explains Carmarthenshire Rep Andrew Hadley. ‘But they say the minority are spoiling it for the majority. Whilst most people are very considerate, some are not.’

The property’s owners contacted GLASS to seek help. In response, the organisation installed a set of signs in both directions on the lane, reading: ‘Slow – 5mph – children and animals.’

‘We will continue to monitor the situation to see if this helps,’ says Andrew. ‘The property owner was very pleased with the signs and my help to erect them, and hopes this will help. I would ask that GLASS members using the lane let me know of any issues – and please take it steady through the property.’

Two jobs very well done, then. And yet more proof that society at large can always turn to the responsible green laning community for help with maintaining rights of way for the benefi t of all.