Footpaths - are farmers allowed to plough them up?

[geordie33]

The root of the problem is intollerance by a small minority on either side.I do a walk where a path diagonally crosses a small field for a distance of 300 yards.The farmer planted across with rape.However there is a tarmac farm track around the field which gets you to the same point.I always use this but in the spring I saw a walker waist deep in wet rape who told me when he eventually got to the other side that he had a right to do this and he was exercising it.Whilst this is of course true his attitude is utter madness to me -no wonder the farmer gets irritated.I walk of the beaten track in parts of East Durham and many of the paths on the map are impenetrable through lack of use but you only find this out half way through a walk if you do not know the area.Personally I would like to see a thorough review where well used paths were properly maintained and paths which only exist on a map were indicated in a different way but I doubt if this will ever happen.In the meantime I will try to exercise common sense-the farmers have enough on their plate with weather etc for me to be precious about walking on their crop when there is a perfecly decent alternative.

[Slogger]

I agree things can usually be amicably worked out and I think most of us walkers do have some sympathy for the reasonable farmer when ROW cuts across his field.
However it does help if diversions are officially carried out and official signposts are errected to notify walkers of them.
There is for example a ROW in the Vale of Mowbry, on the Coast to Coast path, that has been diverted round the edge of farm buildings and onto the farm road, leading to a another main road. However the ROW  as shown on maps and in guidebooks, cuts directly across a field to the main road.
This diversion has been signed and can be seen if going West to East, but coming the other way which many do, can be confusing as the stile for the marked ROW has been removed and Bushes planted in it's place.
Of cours the guidebooks and maps could be out of date and this may be an official re-route, but if that is the case, one would have thought that an official pointer would have been placed at either end of the original path.

[glovepuppet]

Yes, there is a right to roam

Actually, there isn't.
 
There is a right to be able to walk a designated RoW, and there is a right to walk anywhere on land designated Open Access Land (the majority of which is upland country). In both cases, there is a duty not to cause damage. Otherwise, even on "permissive" routes, no "right" exists.
 
The phrase "Right to Roam" is one of the most often quoted and misunderstood phrases in walking. It both misrepresents the rights of the walker and is guaranteed to raise the blood pressure of any farmer/landowner, and usually ends up causing disharmony where once peace existed. I get the local dog owners round my way bleating on about this because the local farmer has had the gall to ask them to keep to the paths! 
 
In situations such as ploughed-over paths common sense must prevail. The farmer has a duty to reinstate within 14 days, although well-used paths probably won't need reinstating anyway. Like most have concluded, the easiest way is usually the best way - through the field if it's clear, round the edge if not. 
 
Lets leave the work and the confrontation for when it is really needed, and give our beleaguered RoW teams and farmers a break! 

[moonchip]

Lets leave the work and the confrontation for when it is really needed, and give our beleaguered RoW teams and farmers a break! 

Well said  +1 

[OutdoorsApe]

I've been bought bread, eggs, bacon and milk by various chatty farmers over the years when asking if I can camp out on their land. The vast majority of farmers are lovely people and like to have a chat and issues like this often get bought up.



Reasonable Farmer + Unreasonable Walkers = issues
Unreasonable Farmer + Reasonable Walkers = issues
Unreasonable Farmer + Unreasonable Walkers = big issues
Reasonable Farmer + Reasonable Walker = permission to camp, bread, eggs, bacon, milk and a good chat.

[barewirewalker]

I learnt agricultural science at college, animal husbandry, crop husbandry, the upkeep of farm machinery and maintenance of farm buildings, business science and farm accounting.


Nowhere did I learn that it was necessary to control the geography of the countryside in order to grow crops and to rear animals. This learning was for those who owned land and wished to maintain a lifestyle and privileges that belong to the 18th  century.


It is in the understanding that is trained into estate agents that land values are devalued by people being allowed access (WHY), therefore access should be controlled, private estates should be allowed to flourish because they were there in Queen Victoria's reign. Irrespective of their position blocking access to todays bus routes or rail stations.


If a dead Earl is buried on a hilltop it remains a sanctuary so that his bankrupt descendants can have the privacy of it.

[Steve Pierce]

Any members of the ramblers assoc present ? 
The official body that represent our interests and maintain our rights of way.
They will give you a definitive reply and if you have on going problems with rights of way will take up the matter with the land owner.
So please become a member and help protect our foot paths in the future.
 
In short most farmers are aware of paths that cross their land and that they have a responcibility to maintain access. They quality of access varies greatly. Clearly they have to continue farming and modern ploughing will not alow for missing a bit here and a bit there unless its a field of considerable size. In most cases farmers accept that ramblers will cross in a direct line along the prescrided route and that some damage will occure. Some will even cut a swath through the crops to mark the route to follow. The key is to be confident in your route planning, navigation and observation. Make sure you do not wander. 
 
Steve , local rambler assoc countryside officer.
 
 

[barewirewalker]

Hi Steve, good to have a paid up member of the RA along and hopefully some inside intel on how the ramblers organization will campaign for the access network needed for the 21st century.


I am still to be convinced that a portion of my meager pension would significantly swell the RA's coffers enough to balance the time and free work that I put into my county councils Local Access Forum.


Paying into organisations when one is not earning means that income that could be used to get out into the countryside and finding out where people ought to be able to walk will not be in my wallet.


I would hope for some comment on a topic I intend to post on the The Shropshire Sandstone Way. A figment of my imagination, a concept of linear walking supported by local public transport fitting into an extended long distance route that might bring business to the diminishing hospitality businesses in our rural communities.


An idea so out of touch with Ramblers policy, that I was robustly rebuked on our last LAF meeting by a member of the RA.

[sussamb]

Any members of the ramblers assoc present ? 
The official body that represent our interests and maintain our rights of way.
They will give you a definitive reply and if you have on going problems with rights of way will take up the matter with the land owner.
So please become a member and help protect our foot paths in the future.
 
In short most farmers are aware of paths that cross their land and that they have a responcibility to maintain access. They quality of access varies greatly. Clearly they have to continue farming and modern ploughing will not alow for missing a bit here and a bit there unless its a field of considerable size. In most cases farmers accept that ramblers will cross in a direct line along the prescrided route and that some damage will occure. Some will even cut a swath through the crops to mark the route to follow. The key is to be confident in your route planning, navigation and observation. Make sure you do not wander. 
 
Steve , local rambler assoc countryside officer.
 

Wish you were in my area then as they washed their hands when I complained about a footpath that had been blocked for nearly 13 years.  Complained to the local council PROW officer, who also said they weren't prepared to do anything and that they had the support of the RA.  Had e mails from the RA confirming this. 
 
Ended up with me serving notice on the Council under Section 130 of the Highways Act, and the Council has now agreed to take the steps necessary to open the footpath no later than 31 Mar 14.

[geordie33]

It is appalling that you hadto do this.I left the RA recently.They often seem to me to have their priorities wrong when it comes to some issues.Local footpaths are mpre important to me than some of the national campaigns they seem so keen on.

[Peter]

It is appalling that you hadto do this.I left the RA recently.They often seem to me to have their priorities wrong when it comes to some issues.Local footpaths are mpre important to me than some of the national campaigns they seem so keen on.

There are actually a lot of ex members here. When the office wallers decided to dispense with the forum. Sadly the RA does seem to have drifted off mission?

[Steve Pierce]

In many respects you are right.
The RA have clearly had a number of major issues in terms of communication , falling mambership , falling revenue even finding out exactly how many paying members they have on the books.
However it remains the only credible organisation to fight for the maintance and future development of our foot paths. And in those circumstances they need the suport and revenue however small it may be.
 
I fear that we have a new breed of walker who has no regard for the efforts of the past or the action required to keep things moving forward.
With modern equpment they can simply pick up a mobile GPS / AP and off they go. They do not want the responcibility or to get involved in group activities.
Consider the age of those who do go banging on the local council door if things arn't right ?
Its Ok with me if you don't like to socialise but at least spend the  25 / 30.00 membership fee to maintain your rights.
 
I listened to the new CEO at our regional AGM and he is on the ball. Very aware of the failures in the past and determind to do something about it. I did come away with confidence unlike the previous year when we had two waring factions.
 
We need new members at every level to continue the work so at the very least please fill in an application form and pay the equivalent of just 0.01p per day to maintain your foot paths.
 
Right..... I will get down off my soap box now.

[Peter]

Steve its a valid discussion... but needs a new thread since its off topic. Start one? 

[barewirewalker]

Well said    and please do not get down off your soapbox if that is that standard of debate, information and passion you bring to a topic. After joining the old RA forum @ 2 years before it got axed, I failed to lure one office holder onto the stage, nay there was one, she joined to make one post did not properly identify herself and failed to properly enter into debate on important issues.


My rights of access are those that I take, but there is a very great need for a campaigning body, who can stand up for the many, who cannot do as I do. Start a new thread as suggested and I am sure there are those eager to test their teeth on it.

[Calas Small Tiger Hunter]

I WALK WHEREVER I WANT TO . (Sensibly) .