The original experience that brought the title of this topic to mind was
walking under a very high bridge over a canal, unlike many canal bridges this one did not have a linking path from the towpath below to the way on the top. Curiosity led to another walk involving some straying from the righteous way to find out to find out what was above.
Somewhere earlier in this topic I have used the phrase 'drawing the the access network away from the highway', a reason many of us prefer to walk in the wide open spaces of National Parks. The balm of the countryside has little chance of comforting the soul, when the constant onslaught to the senses by passing traffic is present.
My second walk showed me how two high bridges could be linked together by a convenient bit of infrastructure, a single sleeper bridge over a ditch, giving access through a probable boundary between to holdings (working farm entities).
Should we expect to be able to visit these structures top and bottom? As part of the canal network they are part of our history, but their original use above did not include public use. Historic features within our countryside will at some stage require repair or even restoration, will a wider public use that fits in with a developing social need, be more reason for their preservation? Is it worth exploring how they could be useful?
A little discovery along a line of approach has revealed a track, with gates that intersect with a right of way, 1/2 a mile of interruption free way linkage that provides direction towards these high bridges. Is there need for a right of way or would a reasonable understanding between leisure user and occupier of the countryside make this way usable?
Having noted this, possible line of approach, from due east another length of public RoW caught my eye ENE. One mile of furnished right of way that probable only serves local dogwalkers, which was once a way to the local church, but reverse the line of purpose, and the direction is 2 high bridges over the canal. This RoW exits onto a road, bit less that 200yds along that road is a field gate, from where there is 0.9mile of field margin linking to another RoW.
As previous posters have said, there are plenty of occupiers of the countryside, who will tell you that you cannot walk these ways because they are on 'private land', but as long as I am unsighted, my passage is not noted and no harm is done.
What is the value of these additions to the access network? How much does a line of approach to interesting or useful infrastructure improve countryside access.