Who we are

"The Green Lane Association is a national user group protecting our heritage of ancient vehicular rights of way and promoting sensible driving in the countryside"

GLASS (Green Lane Association) is a national rights of way user group that represents the interests of motor car users on unsurfaced minor highways or, Green Lanes, in England and Wales.   The majority of our members use four wheel drive vehicles in the countryside.   We are not involved in competitive events and do not risk damage to either our vehicles or to the countryside.

GLASS has some 1,700 direct members and represents the interests of some further 26,000 affiliated members.

GLASS was formed from GLOW - Green Laners Of Wales - in 1995 when members felt that what they were trying to achieve should be done on a national level, GLOW being just a few years old itself.

In 2005, the Association became a limited company, run by and for members, with no paid staff.

What we do:

GLASS members are involved at all levels of rights of way and countryside access issues.   We use the Green Lane network, campaign against obstructions and other things that make the network less usable, and promote sensible, sustainable use of this network.

Additionally, our members are involved in a programme of researching Green Lanes and ensuring that routes are correctly recorded.

We actively seek to educate all motorised users to sensibly use the existing network and, where problems do exist, to take an integral role in rights of way management and to provide physical care of Green Lanes.

What is a 'Green Lane'? The term 'Green Lane' has no legal meaning.   However, it is generally taken to mean a Highway along which vehicles are permitted but which has not had a hard surface applied to it.   There are several places where these routes are officially recorded.   But there are also many routes that are not recorded or are recorded as not having public vehicular rights.

Recording of Public Rights:

GLASS campaigns for all routes to be appropriately signed and recorded.   This is important not just to protect the rights that currently exist, but also to minimise conflict between different user groups and conflict between users and landholders.

Research: Nearly all groups agree that only a small percentage of the public network is currently recorded.   The remainder has been "lost" in the passage of time.   GLASS is involved in researching these lost routes (this includes under-recording) and applying for selected, useable routes to be recorded correctly.

Education: The interest in four wheel drive vehicles in recent years has not led, as some predicted, to a similar increase in motor vehicles in the countryside.   However, many owners of 4x4's would like to use their vehicles away from tarmac.   GLASS is involved in educating all motorised users to our "tread lightly" philosophy in the effort to ensure that our heritage of historic highways are preserved.

We believe that sensible use of Green Lanes helps to protect their unique character, by preventing encroaching vegetation and by promoting sustainable wildlife habitats.

	Practical: We are involved, where needed, in the physical maintenance and preservation of Green Lanes.   From minor clearance to major drainage works, always hand in hand with the Highway Authority..
We produce a 'handout' with a little more detail on our work and activities - downloadable to view or print in Acrobat PDF format.   glass_a3_pamphlet.pdf Intended to print onto A3 paper and fold into a leaflet

Affiliations:	GLASS is a member of :
	LARA - Land Access & Recreation Association
	CCPR - Central Council of Physical recreation
	BTCV - British Trust for Conservation Volunteers
	TRF - Trail Riders Fellowship
	Many local and national groups are affiliated to GLASS, and we have corporate members.