I started studying X zones because I wanted to learn more about lost ways. To me, they stand out from a map and political/social (anti
) reasons why they are there are a matter of history.
What has become a subject that fascinates me is the potential of the lostways and other routes that could be found to unlock the countryside further.
Some will say that adopting the Scottish right of responsible access will be the answer, it would be the cheap shortcut but not the whole answer.
There are several lines of interest that develop from an exercise such as this. The one that comes uppermost to mind with this example is finding the links between areas X,Y and Z and walking them.
The surprise was finding that the routes through area Z were walk-able though not allowable and a trifle overgrown for the tastes of some, those who like their footpaths well manicured.
Area Y I know I can walk, I have known the owner for many years, already have permission to walk his drive any time but also know that he is unlikely to want it become a RoW.
I had hoped to have walked the whole route by now and make some observations about area X, but the rain and consequent late harvesting has put this in abeyance for the moment.
There are other X zones to explore in my area and a closer look at the maps available through the National Library of Scotland have made it much easier for me to access 1880's OS maps.
Just finding a path on an old map does not prove that it is a lost way and a lot more proof is needed to to get reinstatement. I do not have the resources or the patience for this sort of research.
On another walking forum I was told in so many word that lost ways were not worth the bottle, by an active walker. If the line of thought is along the parameters of the Natural England Project into lostways that was abandoned after great expense, then I can understand this judgement but when you walk the ground, I think that, a different set of principles open up before your eyes.
However, despite being thrown off Shropshire County Councils Local Access Forum, I believe I have forced them to discuss the lost ways of Shropshire, by using the Public Question Time item on the agenda of their meetings.