This is the footpath report for May 2024. It covers the public right of way issues around White Roads, Mere Lane, Mere Brow, Tarleton.
WHITE ROADS - Mere Lane, Mere Brow, Tarleton that extends into Rufford
White roads shown on OS maps may have public access, or they may possibly be private.
Mere Ln is presently shown on MARIO (Maps And Related Information Online – a system belonging to LCC) as an unadopted highway, that goes from its junction with The Marshes Lane (B5246 - Grid ref SD42131767) to its junction with Wiggins Lane (Grid ref SD42601688 – near Holmeswood Village Hall). The first part of Mere Ln, is part of Tarleton FP 22, which goes from The Marshes Lane to Banister Hall. The rest of Mere Ln is officially without any rights of public access, because it is an unadopted highway.
Tarleton FP 26 goes from Mere Ln (Grid ref SD42271718) towards Nuck's Wood, which infers that some form of public access to Mere Ln should exist, in order to get to this public footpath. At the both the northern end and southern end of Mere Ln are notices about 'No Cycling', which seems to infer that access on foot is acceptable. Also, a resident towards the northern end of Mere Ln is now claiming that Mere Ln is a private road without any public access.
I have recently received from LCC (Lancs County Council) a map about a claim to make Mere Ln into a restricted byway asking for comments, but without any other associated paperwork. I have written to LCC seeking more details, but I have not yet received a reply.
What I feel is now going to be required is evidence of walkers who have used Mere Lane either to access Tarleton FP 26, or as a means of getting to the Village Hall, or maybe for some other purpose. It is likely that I will propose that I will send you an evidence of use form. If you wish to discuss this then either email -
If we can show at least 20 years of use then we can claim the route as a public footpath. It maybe that others have found evidence of use for higher rights; in which event it could perhaps be a restricted byway.
The classes of highway with official public access are as follows –
As a public footpath (public rights on foot only)
As a bridleway (public rights on foot and on horseback or bicycle)
As a restricted byway (public rights on foot, on horseback or any non-motorised vehicle)
As a byway open to all traffic (public rights for all classes of use, including motor vehicles)
An unadopted highway does not usually have any official rights of public access.
Presently we are able to quote from historical document(s) in support of a claim for a PROW (public right of way), together with any user evidence that may exist, which we can do till the end of Dec 2030. From the 1st Jan 2031 it will only be possible to claim a PROW based on 20 years usage.
It is therefore desirable that the RA undertakes research into white roads and other tracks shown on historical maps to see if there is any evidence of public access on the route concerned, before the cut off for quoting from historical maps and documents.
David Kelly Apr 24