TW2 records green lanes, in the form of ‘layers’
which are overlaid onto various base-maps. Each layer can be displayed
separately, or they can be displayed together. It’s important to understand
which is which, and how they have been established.
UCRs (coloured blue in TW2)
This layer is a record of all non-classified roads which are
denoted “ORPA” on Ordnance Survey Maps. ORPA stands for Other Route with Public
Access and is intended to indicate a highway that is included on the List of
Streets Maintainable at Public Expense. Every local authority is required to
keep a List of Streets which includes all publicly maintainable highways.
Although it does not directly deal with public rights, there is a common
presumption that all rural ways included on the List of Streets carry public
vehicular rights unless there is evidence to the contrary. Some local
authorities have a disclaimer on their List of Streets to the effect that
inclusion of a route is not proof of vehicular rights, so
it is important to check the position with your local Green Lane Association Rep
or the local Highway Authority before you drive any ORPA/UCR. Some ORPAs
are remnants of old roads which have been bypassed but not legally stopped up.
They may be cul-de-sacs, or impassable, or even dangerous to use.
ORPAs are often referred to as UCRs because these minor
public highways were generally known as Unclassified County Roads. These days
the term ‘UCR’ has no legal meaning - some councils have other terminology
which they use, such as “Non-Classified Highway” (NCH), “E Road”, or similar.
Whilst ORPAs are shown on OS maps as having public access,
the depiction of a road, track or path of any description on an Ordnance Survey
map is, of itself, no evidence of a public right of way.
Some UCRs have Traffic Regulation Orders, i.e. they are
subject to a legal ban on vehicles, or they may display “Unsuitable for Motor
Vehicles” signs. These blue signs are not a mandatory restriction, whereas a
TRO sign (a red circle with a picture of a black car and/or motor cycle) does denote
a legal restriction. A white plate underneath may give limits of the
restriction.
BOATs (coloured red in TW2)
This layer shows all the routes shown on the local Highway
Authorities’ Definitive Maps and Statements as Byways Open to All Traffic
(BOAT).
Legally, these are open to all forms of traffic –
pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists and motor vehicle drivers/riders. These
routes are often marked with waymarkers having red arrows. In practice a BOAT
may be impassable due to poor maintenance or encroaching trees, overgrowth, or
obstructions of some type. Some BOATs are narrow, and only suitable for small
MPVs or motor bikes.
Some BOATs have Traffic Regulation Orders (they are
subject to a legal ban on vehicles) or display “Unsuitable for Motor Vehicles”
signs. Like UCRs, these blue signs are not a mandatory restriction, but a TRO
sign (a red circle with a picture of a black car and/or motor cycle) is
mandatory and denotes a legal restriction. A white plate underneath may give
limits of the restriction.
Section 66(1) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
defines a byway open to all traffic (“BOAT”) as: “a highway over which the
public have a right of way for vehicular and all other kinds of traffic, but
which is used by the public mainly for the purpose for which footpaths and
bridleways are so used”.
Definitive Maps generally have a reference number for each
route and TW2 attempts to provide this information.
Highway Authority (coloured yellow in TW2)
This layer is a record of UK administrative boundaries for
information purposes only. This can help identifying the relevant highway
authority for any route shown in TW2.