OS 'Tracks'

[boing boing]

On OS 1:25 000 scale maps tracks are marked with a double row of broken black lines. In some areas (forests) they appear to be 'fair game', others may be best avoided. On the WRT I used (with permission, after being told it was private) a track at SN 990983 running east to SO 010984. How do you decide which 'tracks' to use and which are best avoided?

[griffdowg]

I will shoot 1st.

Its a tough one to explain. You really need to know how to 'read' an OS map. Im just looking at that GR on a 1:50k and it looks fine to me. Probably normal forest track. Reasons? Its a continuation of a tarmac road and I can see it leads to a couple of singular buildings or structures. Usually this implies vehicular access of some description be it 4x4, tractor etc. Either way it wont be too bad.

But you never really know. That track could turn out to be a singletrack bogfest!

I get a little weary of tracks in forest or woodland areas as these seem to change more drastically. Look at the contours, look at the water features, look for the 'bog' symbols and try to visualise it on the ground and how the surrounding landscape would look.

That is my take on it anyway.

HTH

G

[boing boing]

Hi griffdowg.

Thanks for your reply. I agree, it looks 'fine' on the map (and after an initial steep push up the valley it's a nice track) but there is no legal access for cyclists. I could have been told to turn around. I think because I stopped have a chat to the farmer (who told me there was no access except for walkers) and knew I would have a long detour, he was happy for me to continue.

I imagine the answer is don't assume a track has legal access unless marked as such.

[Cheeky Monkey]

OS mapping does not indicated legal access, I think there's some disclaimer to that effect on paper maps.

Legal rights of way are recorded on the "definitive map" or "working copy" of same held by the local authority for the area. This is the legal record of all PRoW.

I'm talking about England and Wales, Sotland is different. I'm by no means an expert. THere are a few web resources / articlees etc e.g. Dave Anderssens (sp?) on STW, BYways and Bridelways Trust (a dry read ;-) etc.

Google popped up this which maybe says more, better than I can:

http://www.naturenet.net/row/definitivemaps.html

Swansea if it helps:

http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=3556

And just to give it a last twist (there's loads more, but y'know what I mean), inclusion on the Definitive Map does not EXCLUDE other rights of way, or the fact that there maybe rights that are not recorded.

[Cheeky Monkey]

Oh aye, and Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rights_of_ ... _and_Wales

The subject has the potential for you to disappear up your own posterior if you read into it much

[royAB]

As far as I know, the only way to be absolutely sure of what is /isn't a right of way is to see the 'definitive map' that is kept by the local authority of a given area. Essentially it's an OS map that has all the updates (post issue of that particular map) marked on it (by ROW officers, highways dept etc). These 'should' show temporary closures too I gather.

That's the theory. In practise I've found using this resource 'difficult' to say the least (at least in Cambridge when I've tried times past);
Getting access to 'the map' can be a problem - 'the what? (at the front desk), 'only available on Tuesdays' or 'when the ROWO' is in' etc.
When you do get hold of it, you have to transpose the various annotations to your own map, takes time and even then the 'definitive map' may not be - changes can be 'still in the pipeline' or simply haven't been done - 'staff shortages'

All in all, not easy to be 'legal'