Closed Byways?

[Corky78]

Hi All,

Wondering if you can help (apologies if this has already been asked but I'm new to Green Laneing - see New Member post)?

On marking up my OS map of all the local byways (map is the latest copy 2008), there is a large trail from Box Hill to Leatherhead but when I visited the side at Box Hill, there is a sign erected prohibiting motor vehicles. Is this new? I went to the other side where it crossed Reigate Road, and heading back to Box Hill is prohibited, but going towards the M25 (through Tyrrell's Wood) looks like it's open.

Same goes for a small trail in Headley Park - Byway signs are there but so is the sign prohibiting motor vehicles.

Have these been closed recently? I had a look to see if there was anything on here but can't find anything.

Any advice/news would be appreciated.

Cheers

Paul

[Stewie]

Hi Paul, yes the lane leading north from Boxhill is closed ( well for us anyway ), and the 2 small lanes in Headley are also not for us, I'm sure that some one can tell you the official status, I just know you can't ride them.

[Dave]

If there's an erected byway sign and no sign to the contrary of motor vehicles I think you can ride them?

If prior to riding a lane you research to see if its closed and it is but you will ride it you are a fool. On the flip side, if you ride a lane which is a byway without a prohibitive sign on it I'd say your probably ok from the angle of plausible deniability. But always best to check. Good lad.

[19col58]

The " large trail from Box Hill to Leatherhead" is Stane St. It is closed to all motorised traffic by a permanent TRO along its whole length.
A roadsign that prohibits vehicles does just that whether its a road or a byway, it still remains a road or byway on the OS map but you can't use a vehicle on it!

My advice to you is to have a look at the Trailwise website
http://www.trailwise.org.uk/gmaps/gmap.htm
Use this in conjunction with your OS map, then go out and have a look. If there IS a Byway sign (finger board) and there ISN'T a Roadsign prohibiting vehicles then you should be OK.
If you're in any doubt about the legality of any lane, don't ride it, come along to a club night, have a chat with Mike and and a look at his maps.

And sign up for a run from Box Hill or Bocketts Farm!

Colin

[stevent]

Yes it is TRO'ed

I did some investigating a few years ago to find out why it was closed, and to see if we would have any chance at requesting the TRO be reviewed and possibly lifted.


I found that someone had commissioned an archaeologist to do a survey of the road, Stane Street is a Roman Road, and the archaeologist found that it had a surface needing protecting, and as a result Surrey County Council had it classified as an "ancient monument" which therefore has to be protected hence the TRO. No chance of getting that lifted then, only the Secretary of State can remove the requirement to protect the route.

So how mad is that, that a road has to be protected from being used as a road.

(And the fact there are exclusive millionaire mansions along the route had nothing to do with the archaeologist being brought in to give his view. )

[Corky78]

Gents,

Thanks for the feedback.

I think I'll stick to the theory that if there is a fingerboard and no sign, we're good to go

Look forward to meeting some of you on the lanes soon

Paul

[steve sharp]

Bring your maps along to club night, we have a marked up set of maps with all of our Byways and all TRO's (Closures) shown.

Steve