Exploring off road areas, OS maps or local signs?

Exploring off road areas, OS maps or local signs?

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RB Will

Original Poster:

9,933 posts

247 months

Monday 16th May 2022
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Hi. I'm assuming the answer will be any signs on site are the ones to obey but just thought I'd check.

Went out at the weekend to explore a few new trails. These are routes that are on OS maps as B.O.A.Ts but on arrival found signage at the start of or slightly along the paths that is a no entry to motor vehicles except for access.

I take it no matter what the map says the road signs are the ones to obey? If so is there a resource to use other than OS maps when planning trips, where restrictions like this would show, to save me more wasted trips.

NS66

198 posts

64 months

Monday 16th May 2022
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Dont trust what an OS maps or byway maps etc - the only way is checking the legality is with the local council on their definitive map.

However organisations like GLASS and ATUK have apps which identify all lanes and give notes on the status and condition - you will need to join and there is a fee but in my opinion is worth it for the information.

SlimJim16v

6,105 posts

150 months

Monday 16th May 2022
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The only way is the local authority's map. Many have online access. The other way is to join GLASS to get access to TW2, which is updated using info from the local authority and local reps.

RB Will

Original Poster:

9,933 posts

247 months

Monday 16th May 2022
quotequote all
TW2 looks useful, thanks chaps smile

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

197 months

Thursday 19th May 2022
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RB Will said:
Hi. I'm assuming the answer will be any signs on site are the ones to obey but just thought I'd check.

Went out at the weekend to explore a few new trails. These are routes that are on OS maps as B.O.A.Ts but on arrival found signage at the start of or slightly along the paths that is a no entry to motor vehicles except for access.

I take it no matter what the map says the road signs are the ones to obey? If so is there a resource to use other than OS maps when planning trips, where restrictions like this would show, to save me more wasted trips.
The maps will tell you the type of road and location. Very handy for recording where you have been too. I use one called Outdoors GPS on my iPhone/iPad. But they can't tell you about TRO's or sometimes change of status.

Paper maps can be out of dater too.

While the 'definitive' map and answers will be available at the local council offices for whomever is responsible for the road. In practice this is not very helpful. As you'd need to know which authority and I have no idea what the process would be to actually get the info. I bet it is different for every authority and never a quick process. Also it is no use when you physically at a location with little to no mobile or data signal.

Ultimately I believe it should be all about the signs and info posted at the ends of any right of way. Just as it is for any paved road.

Trailwise 2 is quite. good online resource to use either in good signal ares or planning before leaving. But it doesn't show a live view of your relative position and can't so any sort of route planning or recording. But it is very handy to use to look up all of the lanes in an area and get some feedback from those that have driven them.

Do remember that the land either of a right of way is not meant to be driven on. This is one of the primary causes of lanes getting slapped with TRO's or being declassified.

And technically all of the green lanes are rights of way, so part of the Queens highway. They just happen to be unpaved, so it's all ON roading biggrin

RB Will

Original Poster:

9,933 posts

247 months

Thursday 19th May 2022
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I joined up to Green Lane and got TW2, pretty much exactly what I was after, user comments on sections are particularly helpful regarding deep ruts or puddles as I’m not in a 4x4.

300 can you clarify what you mean by this? The land at either end is usually a proper paved road.

300bhp/ton said:

Do remember that the land either of a right of way is not meant to be driven on. This is one of the primary causes of lanes getting slapped with TRO's or being declassified.
D

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

197 months

Thursday 19th May 2022
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Either side.

Sorry, must be a typo on my part. Probably not really an issue if you are in your Aerial. More of a general point, as you sadly get lots of twunks who seem to thing any adjoining lane is a pay & play site (that you don't need to pay for).

RB Will

Original Poster:

9,933 posts

247 months

Thursday 19th May 2022
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Oh I see, yeah I’m ok with that.

Mammasaid

4,319 posts

104 months

Thursday 19th May 2022
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Most Local Authorities have online access to the definitive ROW map.

Here's Cumbria's

https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/roads-transport/public-...