Ploughed Bridleways and footpaths every year.

flanagaj · 2022-05-29T20:29:28Z

A number of local land owners in my neck of the woods plough the bridleway and footpath that cross their fields and never reinstate the right of way. The crop grows, people raise online reports with the local council complaining that the rights of way is not present, and yet nothing happens. Legislation is very clear regarding the reinstatement of the right of way within 14 days of ploughing or face a fine, but the local authority fails to enforce said legislation. As a result, the local landowners just do as they choose. There are 4 land owners who neighbour one another and they all do the same. So I suspect it's a nationwide problem. Can you take the local authority to court for failing in their duty? I am very passionate about ensuring that rights of way are open to all and not just disregarded as an inconvenience, Many rights of way have existed for 100s of years and it's a real shame to see land owners just erasing them.

kelvin

Posts: 31100

Full Member

A RoW that exists on maps only is of no use to most people.

Posted : 30/05/2022 11:58 pm

kayak23

Posts: 18211

Full Member

The OP complained that the landowners don’t “reinstate the ROW” but the ROW doesn’t cease to exist because it’s across a ploughed field, it exists regardless of the surface.

Yeah, we know it doesn't literally cease to exist.

Posted : 30/05/2022 11:59 pm

Del

Posts: 8282

Full Member

I run an arable farming business

You monster.

Posted : 31/05/2022 12:17 am

UK-FLATLANDER

Posts: 549

Full Member

In my local area we have both extremes. Many are very good at clearing thru crops and in general maintaining the BWs etc. Whilst others just take the p***. Last year one field was covered in crops, with deep furrows (30cm) at 45 degrees to the path - I suspect less than 1% of riders could stand any chance of riding that. Nothing ever done to clear it, then this year no path, and nearly impossible to get thru the hedge.

Posted : 04/06/2022 7:33 pm

jamesco

Posts: 423

Free Member

Last year one field was covered in crops, with deep furrows (30cm) at 45 degrees to the path
Potatoes ?

Posted : 04/06/2022 8:30 pm

scotroutes

Posts: 43955

Full Member

Posted : 04/06/2022 9:02 pm

Forum menu