Projects
Cam High Road repairs
The Green Lane Association paid £2,000 towards the repair of this road. A team of five rangers and five Dales Volunteers spent three days laying a fresh surface and clearing the drainage along 1.25km of the Cam High Road – or ‘Roman Road’ – above Hawes. They raked and tamped a total of 166 tonnes of limestone aggregate, brought by lorry from a nearby quarry.
“The contributions from the Green Lane Association and TRF are greatly appreciated,” said Matt Neale, Area Manager (North) for the ranger service. “The Cam High Road is a valuable link in the local public rights of way network, and one that can be enjoyed by walkers, horse-riders, mountain bikers, as well as recreational vehicle users in 4x4s or on motorcycles.
“Having both the Green Lane Association and TRF help us maintain these routes and encourage responsible use of the National Park is a positive step forward. We are increasingly relying on donations from users of the National Park to help us to maintain the trail network.”
The Cam High Road is part of the Roman Road that ran from Lancaster to Bainbridge. It is a ‘green lane’, a public right of way designated as a Byway Open to All Traffic.
Capel Curig repairs, Snowdonia
In partnership with Conwy Highways ruts were filled with quarry waste provided at a lay-by on the A5 Holyhead road. Loaded by mini digger onto military trailers, stone was then taken to site. Drainage ditches were cleared and a large rock removed at the Capel Curig end which had become exposed by persistent rainfall but subsequently made the road almost impassable.
Mynydd Y Gaer, Bridgend
After various meetings, this was our first approved project in Bridgend. Green Lane Association Area Reps carried out surveys in advance to ensure legality and route status, then agreed partnership working in conjunction with the Coity Wallia Commons Biodiversity Officer, the commoners, and landowner.
Our volunteers agreed to carry out waymarking along the legal definitive line to ensure all intersections were clearly identified to all users. The current line being driven had fallen some way off causing concern, and potential disruption to wildlife and habitat. With Highways approval the correct route was reinstated and gates moved/realigned by the landowner to avoid confusion to vehicular users.
This was done using a small team of volunteers, with new style recycled plastic posts supplied by Bridgend CC complimented with our signage.
Brechfa Forest, Carmarthenshire
After various meetings, this was the first approved Green Lane Association signage project in Carmarthenshire. The Green Lane Association Area Reps carried out surveys in advance to ensure legality and route status, then set up a partnership working agreement in conjunction with the Countryside Department.
The Green Lane Association & Treadlightly volunteers agreed to carry out waymarking along the main well established routes in the forest area to ensure all intersections were clearly identified to all users. Due to the length of the routes this was done using several small teams of volunteers, with posts supplied by Carmarthenshire CC and Green Lane Association funded signage.
Blanchland Moor, Northumberland
Working in partnership with the local land management organisations to position information signs. The main the aim to discourage off-piste driving and riding on land adjacent to the byway across Blanchland moor, Northumberland. Following meetings with the local gamekeeper we obtained his support to supply and install these signs. We also liaised with local Police and offered our full support in tackling this illegal activity. Together with the gamekeeper we will monitor the situation to gauge the effectiveness of the signs. Whilst on site our member, who is also a volunteer with 4x4 Response North East, assisted the with identification of a landing site for the North East Air Ambulance.
Strata Florida & Soar Y Mynydd, Ceredigion
After various meetings, this was the first approved Green Lane Association signage project in Ceredigion. The Green Lane Association Area Reps carried out surveys in advance to ensure legality and route status, then set up a partnership working agreement in conjunction with the Highways Department.
The Green Lane Association agreed to carry out waymarking along this well known UCR (Unclassified County Road) (part byway in Powys) to ensure all intersections were clearly identified to all users, similarly for the UCR at Soar Y Mynydd nearby. Due to the length of the routes this was done using several small teams of volunteers, with posts supplied by Powys CC, and Ceredigion CC funded signage.
Bulford 7 lane clearance, Wiltshire
The aim was to clear back the byway to allow light to get in and dry out the lane. Also we were asked to cut back hard to give walkers a ledge to walk on so that they weren’t in the ruts. Run over two days, this project saw us clear a mile of green road using hand tools only. Permission was given from Wiltshire Country Council and the landowner, in this case, the MOD.
The project involved 25 people split into three teams – one at either end, and one in the middle. We also drained a short waterlogged section by digging two grips. The result is now the local parish have the opportunity to walk the lane without negotiating ruts
Cherhill Byways and Bridleways, Wiltshire
The local parish have a large percentage of byways which are well used and a small selection of other rights of way which were poorly signed and with dilapidated stiles and gates.
The first part of the project was helping waymark, erecting a couple of bridleway signs and removing foliage around several existing signs. We have also been involved with Parish Council rights of way meetings about how they can improve access for all.
Working with local parishes goes a long way to proving that we do care about the countryside and other users access, and that we are willing to put time and effort in to help with that. We also can provide transport and trailers to assist with projects.
Tilberthwaite, Lake District
Some large drystone walls were in danger of falling, potentially closing the route to all users. The National Trust needed £18,000 to fix. The TRF started a crowd funding campaign to raise the cash, and the Green Lane Association topped up the fund to reach the total by donating £1,500. The foundations and finished work can be seen on this page.
Roman Road, Trecastle
Volunteers from the Green Lane Association and the TRF, split into three teams, working with representatives from BBNP, Carmarthenshire Council and the local farmer to erect 15 Waymarking posts.
A hand auger was used to make the job easier when working in soil. With ground nesting birds in the area, short posts were used to stop raptors using normal height posts for spotting their prey! Our thanks to Llanerchindda Farm for organising the day.
Gate replacement, Wayfarer
Fix damage done by a less responsible group of 4x4 drivers. A replacement gate was sourced via word of mouth. The old post needed removing, new post slotting in, fix new hinges and hang gate. Job done!
Drainage and repairs to CR127
Powys planned to carry out repairs to CR127 (Llandrindod Wells) but the lane was too wet for the plant and machinery to move in. So it was agreed volunteers would hand dig the necessary drainage trenches to get the water off the lane and begin the drainage of two large bogs which had made the lane unusable in the winter. 12 volunteers from the Green Lane Association and TRF turned out on a wonderful sunny day and dug trenches and grips to drain as much water away before contractors moved in to start grading. Over 4,000 tons of stone was used to make good the surface. The completed works raised the lane above the two bogs and brought a previously unusable lane back into use by all from walkers to vehicles.
