Ancient roads allow man with MS to go where few are able

Laurence is able to get to places few are able to without a 4x4

From the top of a hill overlooking the River Wye, Laurence Robins is enjoying an awe-inspiring view few people are ever fortunate enough to experience.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has restricted his life in many ways, but getting out on ancient tracks in a 4x4 vehicle allows him to see things most are never able to.

There are more so-called green lanes in Powys than any other county in Wales, which give access to remote parts of the countryside, but the local authority has been accused of not responding to complaints about these being blocked.

Powys council acknowledged concerns raised by the Green Lane Association, set up to protect them, while Dyfed-Powys Police said its neighbourhood officers work with council officials to keep routes accessible.

"You go past these beautiful places in the car, you don't really know what you're going past, what you would see [if you explored further]," said Laurence, 69.

He has lived with MS - a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord - since he was 21.

While he used to enjoy long walks in the countryside near his home in Brecon, Powys, MS now means he is no longer able.

Instead, he has been a member of the Green Lane Association for 10 years - which helps him to go out into hard-to-reach areas with friends in a 4x4 vehicle.

Powys is Wales' biggest geographical local authority area, and has 136 miles (220km) of byways open to all.

"It's just great to get out in the countryside," said Laurence.

"There's some beautiful sights and views, it's just fantastic to be able to get out and about."

But there are concerns that for various reasons, such as the weather, fallen trees and people blocking them, some of these routes are being cut off.

Using a 4x4, Laurence is driven by friends to places that involve navigating streams and dirt tracks

What is green laning?

Green lanes are centuries-old routes through the countryside that are usually unsurfaced.

According to the group set up to protect them for communities, cyclists and 4x4 vehicles, there are more in Powys than any other Welsh county.

The Green Lane Association said this is because of historic routes on which livestock was transported from rural areas to big cities such as Birmingham and London.

Councils have a duty to keep them open, with motorised vehicles permitted on these unclassified roads and byways.

Laurence is no longer able to walk far, but still loves getting out in the countryside

However, the association said people such as Laurence were being restricted - with some cut off through natural causes, others because people are blocking them deliberately.

The association's Steve Morgan described an example of a landowner chaining gates, and of a tractor being placed to prevent entry to "an ancient road".

"This is just one of scores of these things happening – there are 20 or 30 of these all around the county," he added.

Section 137 of the Highways Act 1980 makes it an offence if any person "without lawful authority or excuse, in any way wilfully obstructs the free passage along a highway".

"It's the lack of communication from Powys highways (department) - the message it sends is that people are allowed to block these lanes and get away with it," Mr Morgan added.

"There's a responsibility to make sure these lanes stay open, so that people like Laurence and many others that are disabled like him, still maintain access to the countryside."

Some routes have been blocked with chains and locks

A spokesperson for the council said it "acknowledges the concerns raised by the Green Lane Association" and recognises how "frustrating it can be to encounter issues when accessing the countryside".

"The council does not condone unlawful obstruction of public highways," it added.

"However, enforcement processes can be complex and time-consuming, particularly where the legal status of routes is disputed.

"We remain committed to working constructively with stakeholders to uphold public access and resolve issues where they arise."

But they added the council's response "must be balanced against available resources and the nature and usage of the routes concerned".

Dyfed-Powys Police said it is aware of concerns raised locally about dedicated green lanes being made inaccessible to road users.

"Neighbourhood policing officers are committed to working alongside Powys County Council to ensure green lanes in Powys can be enjoyed by residents and visitors who wish to explore the countryside," it added.

"A section 137 notice (Highways Act 1980) has been issued in response to a report made of the alleged deliberate blocking of a highway in the Erwood area.

"Local officers continue to monitor the situation and will respond appropriately - and in conjunction with the relevant partner agencies - where matters of antisocial behaviour are identified."

Some routes have been made hard to access because of farming equipment, fallen trees or people leaving obstructions