GLASS is the National User Group for those who enjoy using the Country’s network of ancient unsurfaced public roads and vehicular rights of way. We are a not for profit association dedicated to driving, protecting and researching our unique heritage of unsurfaced public highways. We promote legal and responsible driving as a way of enjoying the countryside and campaign against irresponsible use.

 Glass offers its members access to information and advice, a quarterly magazine and full access to our comprehensive on-line database of rights of way in Great Britain. We also have a network of local representatives who hold regular meetings and can offer local knowledge to our members.

Click here for Local GLASS Meeting

GLASS is appealing to both members and non-members to make donations to the above Fighting Fund.The appeal is in support of the legal action being taken by LARA (Land Access & Recreation Association) on-behalf of its members, (list of LARA members below) against the TRO's proposed by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and future unreasonable TRO's (Traffic Regulation Orders).

The reasons for this court action are explained in the LARA Press Release, whilst LARA does have a fighting fund, it will most likely not be enough to adequately fund this legal action, both GLASS and the TRF (Trail Riders Fellowship) have already pledged money from their individual fighting funds, but we still need more help.

If you want to help keep our dwindling resources of lanes open for the future please give your support NOW as a donation. You can give directly to LARA or via the
GLASS TRO Fighting Fund donation page on the GLASS Shop  
All money donated will go to fighting this case, in the event that we raise more money than needed the surplus will be held separately and will only be used for future legal actions taken in the support of laning.

For more information visit this page 

LARA's Members are: Association of Land Rover Clubs Auto-Cycle Union Amateur Motor Cycle Association British Motorcyclists Federation Green Lane Association Motor Cycle Industry Association Motor Sports Association Trail Riders Fellowship

Welcome to the GLASS Mythbusters series!

Myth: Recreational 4x4s cause 3 foot deep ruts.

Truth : Most 4x4s use tyres that are less than 30” in diameter, so have a radius of 15” or less. Even the largest tyres in everyday use are generally no bigger than 35” diameter, so have a radius of 17.5”

After taking account of the axles, differentials, brakes etc this gives most vehicles a ground clearance of around 4” to 8” and most are towards the lower figure. Therefore this is the deepest depth of rut a normal 4x4 could be expected to cause.

Major ruts are often caused by legitimate agricultural use. Some tractors can cause ruts 3' deep!

Many so called “ruts” are in fact caused by water run-off eroding existing channels in the surface. Yes these can be caused initially by vehicles (recreational or agricultural) or even cycle traffic or horse drawn vehicles. Lack of maintenance especially to drainage is often the reason they can get so bad.

Ruts can allow water to run off and cause vehicles to follow the same route, especially as many unsurfaced highways are fenced or walled. Whereas pocketing on open footpaths caused by horse or foot traffic can cause standing water that makes tracks waterlogged and encourages users to divert round, making the damage wider and wider. Anyone who has walked on the peat moors of northern England will have seen this effect.