I'm sure I won't be the first person to raise this issue, but, I was out in the woods around Mirfield golf course today, and someone was erecting a barbed wire fence down either side of the track, on a nice little climb/descent. From what i can find on the net, the fencing should be at least 4 metres apart if it's on a bridleway, to allow cyclist or horses to pass each other, and it shouldn't be used if it presents a danger to the users of the right of way.
Anyone got any more info on it's use next to a right of way?
If you stall, don't grab it.
The bridleway will often have a specific width recorded in the definitive map and record - its not always 4 metres, much more complex than that.
Barbed wire wouldn't be illegal per-se, unless it was a danger or hinderance to the users of the ROW, which would depend on the exact circumstances and width of the track, 4 metres is only a guideline/recommendation - however if you were injured or damaged your kit on it, there could certainly be a potential negligence and duty of care implication if you were to sue.
I'd defo be on to the PROW office in the morning 🙂
Give Rights of Way Dept. at Kirklees a ring , they will advise and (possibly) take action if the fence is encroaching the track. Is it the one around the top of golf course if coming down from Whitley which has been resurfaced this year ?
It's the track that drops down to the houses from Scopsley Lane?
Down through Whitley Wood to Whitley Wood Bottom where the little cricket field is.
Anyway try - Andy Gardner
andrew.gardner@kirklees.gov.uk
01484 225573
Think yourself lucky. I found barbed wire running along the ground [b]across[/b] a BW today. Thanks for the reminder to report it!
Probably too late for the OP, but if anyone else is interested, there isn't actually a standard width for a bridleway, but generally they should be wide enough for two horse riders to pass each other. If a BW goes across cultivated land they should be 2 m wide, 3 m for a field edge, and 4 m if newly fenced. Otherwise they're as wide as they're wide!
Quite often width is lost when new fencing is installed, so if you know its now narrower than it was, get in touch with your PRoW team like others have said. BW's rarely have their width recorded in the statement, so enforcement is predominantly down to looking at old photos and comparing the locations of fences to other features like trees.
As for barbed wire, if used it should be on the other side of the fence (for both BW's and FP's) so users don't get injured / clothing damaged / etc
Like aracer says, it can get far worse!
Moan about it. I've seen a rider crash in to a barbed wire fence, slashed face and stitches to fix lip needed 🙁