Before promoting the use of Manchester’s lanes we need to ensure that we know where they are (see ‘Database’ below), what condition they are in and we need to ensure that they are usable. Once the database is operational, how can we effectively work together to make the lanes usable? And how can we promote their use?

In order that we can operate more efficiently it would be desirable to allocate specific responsibilities to a few individuals. These would include co-ordinators for various projects: lane surveys, the maintenance policy (if accepted), social events, individual resources, etc.
Additionally certain one off events (e.g. Green Lane Day) also require a person to oversee them.

The issues of lane surveying and recording, the maintenance policy, individual resources and of organised social events are all covered below.

Every member of this group has a range of skills that may be of use to the group. Drawing up a list of who possesses which professional skills and which other skills could be beneficial when it comes to organising maintenance projects, surveys, etc.
Equally, for some projects, specialist equipment may be necessary and it would be useful to know what equipment is available and who has it.

No press release has been sent out following the event. It is probably too late now to do this.
It is essential that we ensure that next year's event is included in the calendar of all the local clubs so that it does not clash with any event that they are planning.

Nearly all of Manchester’s 4x4 clubs have RoW officers. GLASS is in a unique position to bring these groups together. How can we promote this?
How much do we wish to limit ourselves to 4x4 users bearing in mind that other user groups have a vested interest in unsurfaced carriageways.

Stockport are to hold their second user forum on Monday 18^th May 1998. It is held at the Town Hall at 2:00pm. At the last one vehicle users were very much under represented and it would be to our advantage to have a few more people there.
If you can make it, please try to attend.

A draft document is now available and will be distributed during the meeting.
A full discussion will take place next week when everyone has had a chance to read it thoroughly.

In order that we can record and assess both the lanes that we have and those that we are researching, we are entering all lane information into a database. The collection of lane information will require the use of survey forms. Dave is currently overseeing the production of these. It is intended that they will include all the information that is currently recorded for the lane under investigation. Therefore, all that will be required is to fill in the blanks.

Once the database is fully operational then we will be in a much better position to assess the overall situation regarding the state of Manchester's lanes. We will also know which lanes require priority action and which ones can be left until later. The database will form the basis of any information that we produce to promote the lanes.

The first training meeting is being planned on the subject of ‘The Nature of a Highway’. This will cover an introduction to the legal system and in particular highway law. It will go on to describe the various types of highway and their ownership and their maintenance and liability responsibilities. Finally it will cover the major sources of currently recorded information sources which detail rights of way. The first meeting is provisionally planned for Sunday 21^st June 1998 with future meetings being held at approximately six month intervals. Are we going to make a charge for these meetings and if so, how much?

In order to more involve local members and to introduce newer members to the delights of our hobby it would be beneficial to organise some laning trips around Manchester and the surrounding counties. Therefore, can we have a social organiser to take responsibility for this and the organisation of other social events?

It would be sensible to plan the majority of our social laning trips within the areas those lanes most require use. The two areas in close geographical proximity are Greater Manchester itself and Cheshire (particularly North Cheshire) (see below).

As a first event Nigel Wallbank is organising a trip to the Dales on Saturday 23^rd May 1998 and, although this is not an official GLASS social meeting, he is happy for anyone to accompany him. The group will be limited to five vehicles (including his own).

Dave Pickering has become GLASS area rep. for East Cheshire leaving Mike Catell (the current Cheshire Rep. free to concentrate on West Cheshire and parts of North Wales). He will require support both from Cheshire and Manchester GLASS as, like Manchester, East Cheshire has many severely underused lanes.

Cheshire County Council fully recognise that sensible use of lanes with vehicles is beneficial and reduces the maintenance that is required. They are taking positive steps to promote some of their unsurfaced carriageways. Additionally, the re-classification process has just started in the Macclesfield District and it is important that GLASS (although not necessarily Manchester GLASS) is involved in this at all stages.

Several local lanes are the subject of much correspondence between GLASS and local Highway Authorities. It is important that we all know which lanes are currently being promoted and how far the system has proceeded. What can we do to ensure that we all know what is happening? How can we all have a greater input in the research/promotion process? It is planned to produce 'bullet points' from which letters can be constructed and these should be available for the next meeting.