Lane blocked? COMPLAIN ABOUT IT!!!

Well, gob-smacked again by our council.

New Byway created, (Fishlake Byway 3 (Pennyshaw Lane/Newhouse Lane Confirmed Definitive Map changes | Doncaster Council[/URL] ) and a few weeks ago had a drive up it to find it blocked by concrete blocks. Drove round to the other end and this was also blocked. Bugger it, thought I, a new Byway and it's blocked summat must be done.

So further investigation on the website above lead me to On line reporting of a problem on a Right of Way | Doncaster Council

So I filled in the form and emailed it. Didn't expect much reply or anything to happen, as I've called about local lanes before and had minimal success for loads of time and calls ... but just now, halfway through watching RustyRhinos videos, I got a telephone call from the Rights Of Way Officer to say they have the problem in hand, and will get rid of the concrete blocks blocking the lane within a week!!!!

Well, we'll see if it actually happens, 'cos I've been told that sort of thing before, but it appears that this online reporting is the way forward. Apparently their system is such that a correctly completed on-line complaint is automatically logged and has to be followed through to a conclusion that the complainant agrees with!

Result I'd say, 'cos that particular lane looks like it might be a little belter .. running through woods next to a stream etc ...

Good to hear that. Hope it goes through. Nice work. :mooning: to the moaners

Hey Paul
Let me know how it goes, I'd like to have a trogg along with you when you go.

Yup, no worries mate.

Not had a reply from them yet, the chap promised to call me again when the blocks were removed, but we'll see. Not had a chance to get over there yet to see for myself.

any joy with the blocks then... you been over since?

One end has been removed, but not the other, so halfway there! I guess they came in from that end, took it away and either couldn't get through as it's very muddy/slippy at the moment, or just forgot that there were blockages at each end and it's about 1 1/2 miles long, but maybe 5 miles to get round.

Sent in an email Monday (only tried to drive it Sunday) so expecting an answer anytime in next two weeks!!!

it does seem though that you managed to get a result... good work fella!

Dunno, I'll consider it a good result when it's driveable all the way.

Councils pretty good here, there's a document about public acces that shows we have 9 (I think) green lanes, compared to 300 odd bridlepaths and 1000 odd footpaths, (not exact numbers I can't recall them) and I intend to make sure, even if it's on my own, that all the lanes are used and as such can stay open ... even those that you have to either turn round in or back out of again 'cos they've erected a steel fence across it 'cos it's next to a school ... which is my next 'project' to open that particular lane to a through route ...

yes of course when it's fully open, but to get the council to even get men out for the one end is an achievement in itself.

Well, thanks for the comliments, I didn't post for that but to show others that it can be done ... In fact Doncaster Council helped me, in a way. they have a Public Rights of Way section on their website ROWIP with a file called "Rights of Way Improvement Plan" which lists all the byways, bridlepaths, footpaths etc in the borough, then they have a "lane blocked" on-line reporting facility .. so a little bit of work, a bit of driving and a few minutes hammering at the keyboard.

Actually, as you probably know it is a little more complicated than that, but that's the gist ...

good stuff, i saw a byway on the map so went and had a look but couldn get in at one end because a railing was in the way, so went in the other end but it got a bit narrow to footpath size half way down, didn look like it had been driven for years. is it worth complaining about you recon?

Depends what classification it is on the definitive map and/or ordnance survey maps. If it's a BOAT or unclassified I'd complain.

One problem I've come across is that many unclassified roads around my area are actually private roads owned by large estates, hence their unclassified status!! Councils won't touch these roads and the landowners are under no obligations to allow you any access.

it is a boat so will enquire

glad you got a result paul, last month i was on a recce trip up north yorks and found 3 lanes blocked with huge bales of hay and one had been ploughed over the farmer even came out and tried to shift us off his land at the ploughed lane, it is ongoing atm but we moved the large bales as they were in danger of falling over onto the road and causing a serious hazard to road users..only short lanes but ROW officer is looking into it for us..

I've found that when the farmers are blocking the lanes it's usually one of two things. Either they don't understand that it's a public right of way and that it's completely legal for vehicles to drive the lane, or they've had nutters tearing their crops up and/or generally being a nuisance.

The first one is most likely when the lane runs alongside a field edge, with a hedge to only one side, and where people sometimes go off-piste into the field.

Second one is something that's so hard to police that they tar everyone with the same brush, and to be fair I can't blame them much, so long as they understand that I will move blockages ... and get the council/police if they try to stop me!

When I'm in the right, and know I'm right, I keep at it ...

Wahahahey ..... :5bparty:

Both ends un-blocked ...

From the council ... (some of this is snipped and/or para-phrased as it's a long email ...)

" Dear Mr D...

Further to your Summary of Submission Ref: X-XXXX-XXXX Report of a problem on a Right of Way (3) Fishlake Byway 3 (Pennyshaw Lane/Ne)

As you know we (the council) have a policy of immediate action to known or reported problems, and as such we received quotations to remove the obstacles you reported. We also have a policy and duty to achieve best value for the people of Doncaster. Unfortunately the first contractor couldn't move the obstacles and had to call in heavy lifting and digging equipment as they obstacles were (which I had pointed out to them!) partly buried. This is why our reaction has taken such time ... however I would like to inform you that the lane is now unblocked to vehicular traffic as well as other users.

Many thanks for your submission, we hope this outcome is satisfactory to you and would like to hear from you again if you have any further problems.

Aside from but aligned with this, may I also mention that Off-road drivers and Motorcyclists are under-represented on our Rights of Way forum and we, the Public Rights of Way Team, would like to extend to you an invitation to sit in on our next Public Rights of Way meeting, to be held at ........... This is an open forum and your views may be freely expressed without prejudice. There are already representatives from many sources, such as The Council, Police, Ramblers Association, British Horse Society and other individuals, but your input will make, I am sure, a valuable contribution to the forum.

I look forward to hearing from you etc etc ..."

Heheheh, so not only is the lane opened, but I'm invited to sit on a forum! Should be fun ...

So the bad news ...

The lane is opened at both ends and is pretty damn good ... but I got stuck! :violin:

Obviously not been used for years other than by tractors and horses, and although there were deep ruts, they were mostly do-able and I was three-quarters way in (about a mile, when I got to a real soggy bit under a Coppice, with a stream both sides of the track. So, got out, walked the ruts, on top and in them and they felt stable enough so decided to try ... dropped out of the sunlight into a mossy bit and the whole plot sank up to chassis rails, front diff buried and axle half buried, would have been much deeper if steering guard hadn't skimmed over a stone/rock and held them up a bit! Took two hours of digging and jacking to get the Disco onto level, firm, driveable ground! So much for my ground reading skills!!

So morale is, listen to my own advice .. don't do lanes alone, take water (two hours hard labour and nothing to drink) and recovery tackle .. and a mobile/camera!!!!

I always have a shovel handy, but didn't have the Hi-lift, and so the standard Disco bottle jack had to be, and was, the lifesaver. Used the shovel and a branch as a ground plate, and hooked it into the steering guard, lifted the diff out just enough and raised one wheel so traction was gained on three wheels with difflock on and reverse, letting the jack fall over ... about a foot at a time.

Seven jacks/reverses and it eventually came clear enough to drive back to good ground. Didn't even have a phone, so I'd have had to walk out if I couldn't dig it out .. as such also didn't have a camera. Mud tyres would have only got me further in I think!!

Once fully out i reversed further, took a totally different line and easily made it!.

:nopics:

So, alls well that ends well .. just cleaned all the kit off and my wellies .. no damage, the lane's there and waiting to be driven, but lines will have to be found and worked on I think!

Sounds good, although that`s a good lesson to anyone. Don`t go laning alone!
Well done on the council front and good luck with the bobble hats at the public forum.

Good result on the lane ubt even better for the council to recognise that motorised users are under represented @ that level and to encourage you to get involved is great.
Atb with it Paul.

Fair play Paul, just goes to show that sometimes it is worth seeing it through... be interesting to get the bobblies result

Cheers.

Must admit to thinking that nothing was actually going to come of it!

... and it's a good lane too ...