What is a Green Lane?

The term 'green lane' has no defined meaning and no legal meaning.
It is, however, in common use and is generally accepted to mean any highway that is not surfaced with concrete, tarmac or a similar material and which the public have a right to use with a vehicle.

A recent government report 'Making The Best of Byways' uses the term 'byway' in a similar manner and this includes routes which are recorded on the Definitive Map.

These are typical 'green-lanes' and, as you can see, it is not the sort of highway that you would want to take your average saloon car along. Users of 'green lanes' and byways include 4x4 drivers (which GLASS represents), motorcyclists (represented by the Trail Riders Fellowship)and horse and carriage drivers (represented by the British Horse Society). Also, pushbikes, walkers and horseriders can use byways. This diversity of use leads to byways being a valuable recreational resource as well as being essential for preserving the character of the countryside.

Additionally, byways are protected in law far more than footpaths and bridleways. For example, stiles cannot be placed on a byway and its hedges cannot easily be removed. Also, footpaths and bridleways can be legally ploughed over and the surface re-instated at a later time; this is not true of a byway whose surface is protected by law.

The lane above is typical of the routes surrounding Manchester on the urban fringes and within the neighbouring counties. It is enclosed between hedges and has a solid surface but is penitrable by the grass. The lane below is a much more exposed example as found in more remote parts of the country; such lanes tend to be dry as the elements (sun and wind) can get directly to the surface of the lane and dry out the surface effectively. Much can be done to improve the surface of a lane where waterlogging is a serious problem simply by removing overhanging vegitation. Every year GLASS is involved in National Green Lane Day which helps Highway Authorities with this sort of routine maintenance.

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