[Closed] Paying for permissive Bridleway maintenance

Aye, I'd chuck in a tenner.

How people react and thus donate is going to be linked to how you word any request. Defo need to get the message out that the land is being gifted.

You may be lucky and have a well minded tree surgeon nearby.

Thanks no beer

How people react and thus donate is going to be linked to how you word any request. Defo need to get the message out that the land is being gifted.

Very much this. I think I did ok above, but it’s gonna need to be shorter!

Anyone local with a wood burner after a load of wood prepared to chip in? Alternatively sell the timber to recoup some of the cost (with the land owners permission).

I expect there will be people willing to help clear branches and the like rather than give money (especially if there is a bit of firewood in it for them).

I'd try your local councillor, they might be able to get the council to pay the cost of removal

I might contribute but I want to see the design first, make sure that the berms and jumps are appropriately challenging.

Good idea if you have a bunch of people who use the route regularly. Hurdles, not big ones may be: Landowner will presumably want qualified tree peope to do the job, if only to avoid an amateur dropping the tree on his head then suing landowner. What you need is a cycling tree surgeon! Not sure what you have to do about die back affected wood. Can it be given away for example of does it need "correct" disposal? Any restrictions on cutting those specific trees?
Given the choice between no access and helping towards it a lot of people would help out. Many won't of course. Ask.

Are there bio security issues with random people helping to clear away the chopped down trees given its ash dieback?

Personally what I would be willing to pay would depend on too many factors both tangible and intangible. Eg. Is this a big landowner or a small person, do they seem to be wealthy (and anyone who has enough land that they have multiple dieback issues probably is a lot wealthier than me!), have I ever met them and thought they were a ****, how often would I use that path, would it increase footfall past my door, is the path being closed just a sign or actually physical barrier I can’t sneak past, etc

I think you probably need to be careful about the “gifted” line. He’s not gifting the land (which if he is struggling to maintain it and the community would benefit from it you might ask why not!) merely permitting access right up until it’s become a problem.

I know your access laws in England are a bit backwards but my initial inclination is - if he wants the benefits of those laws as the landowner and wants the relationship with the community for the good stuff he does (which may even have some tax advantage) then he needs to get the work done.

That said if a local estate here said - we’d like to make a new path or clear an overgrown train and are looking for volunteers then I’d probably be happy to help.

One final option if it’s genuinely for community benefit - he might want to contact the local council justice team (social work dealing with community payback orders). Round here they are always interested in projects with general community benefit that need people rather than brains and I’ve seen both good outcomes on the projects and offenders really enjoying* some of the work.

(* you may not think it’s good for offenders to enjoy their punishment but in some cases this is the first time that person has ever enjoyed a bit of work in their life, worked in a team, been in the woods or “created” anything to be be proud of. It might not turn their life around but it can certainly open conversations for their supervising officer about how to do more good stuff and less bad shit).

Are there bio security issues with random people helping to clear away the chopped down trees given its ash dieback?

When you see forestry operations clearing diseased trees with a wheel wash let me know.

Essentially the whole industry gets a free pass from Natural England or devolved bodies because well it would ignore it

The larch clearances in the lakes are largely due to forestry operations spreading the disease around. It's a self licking lollipop.

I’m expecting some pushback from the entitled types “why should I pay”.

Why are people entitled if they choose not to pay / don't have the same priorities on their resources as you?

The cat's well out of the bag with ash dieback, so no issue there. Is there a nearby training firm who might need trees to train clients on?, once on the ground it's easier and safer to get volunteers to help clear up. All depends on the situation the trees stand.

How the trees can be broken down massively depends on how advanced the die-back is and the trees locations. This could be half an hour for a straight forward tree or a couple of days plus machinery for a complicated one.

Not really suitable for training trees. Ash are highly vulnerable to 'barbers chair' incidents where they split and this is more likely with a hesitant inexperienced cutter. More that the disease weakens the canopy increasing the chance of limb drop, so you don't want to be stood under it, hammering wedges in for any longer than absolutely necessary.

There is no issue with moving the timber as the spores are associated with the leaves.

Why are people entitled if they choose not to pay / don’t have the same priorities on their resources as you?

They're not but that wasn't what was said or implied.

@squirrelking - that’s exactly what was said

How would you feel if I asked you? I’m expecting some pushback from the entitled types “why should I pay”.

I'd be happy to if I used the trail but

Being permissive, as far as I understand, the landowner is effectively gifting this path to the community. Therefore under no real obligation to maintain it. I’m beginning to form a positive relationship with the landowner, but he’s explained sorting this Bridleway is low down his list due to cost. His first priority is dealing with ash dieback where his trees threaten public areas.

AIUI a permissive bridleway simply means you are giving the public access to part of your land, so in fact increasing the public area you are responsible for?

No, that's exactly not what was said.

Maybe we are interpreting this differently but I didn't take anything from that which would imply any ill feeling towards those who can't afford to contribute.

We all know who those "entitled types" are, you see them body swerve every car park honesty box going and expect everything for nothing. That's who I assume the OP was referencing.

Nail, head. @squirrelking.

Lots of good input. Thanks all.

I’m thinking this job can only possibly be completed by the pros, numerous factors would make it foolish for the landowner to let amateurs come and do the job. Much as a bit of community effort would be a nice way to do it.

I’ll be seeing then, if those that can afford to contribute, and would like to contribute, will.

AIUI a permissive bridleway simply means you are giving the public access to part of your land, so in fact increasing the public area you are responsible for?

Up until you withdraw permission, nearly circumventing the issue.

I’ll be seeing then, if those that can afford to contribute, and would like to contribute, will.

Please start with your councillor, as stated before they maybe able to access funds

What I actually should have said, is I’ll start by reading this thread properly. I’ve been run off my feet with other things. Just wanted to thank everyone!

Council had crossed my mind. Really the first step is to speak with the landowner again to review anything he’s already tried and check I won’t tread on his toes.