A RESTRICTED byway in the Forest of Dean could have public motor vehicle rights recognised following an application being investigated by Gloucestershire County Council.

The authority has received an application to change the legal status of Restricted Byway GGK6, identified as North Pole Lane in the Gorsley and Kilcot area.

The application concerns the restricted byway rather than the entire road known as North Pole Lane, parts of which are already accessible to ordinary traffic.

It seeks to reclassify the affected route as a Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT), potentially recognising public rights for cars, motorcycles and other motor vehicles.

Restricted byways can generally be used by walkers, horse riders, cyclists and non-motorised vehicles, but ordinary motor vehicles do not automatically have public access rights.

In correspondence dated October 5, the council confirmed it was investigating the application under Section 53 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The authority is gathering evidence to establish whether public vehicular rights legally exist along the affected section, with particular emphasis on historical documentation.

A Definitive Map Modification Order allows councils to correct official records of public rights of way where sufficient evidence supports a change.

The process examines whether the route's existing classification accurately reflects rights established historically, rather than whether allowing additional vehicle access would be desirable.

Historical maps, documents and records could therefore play an important role in determining the outcome of the application.

However, the proposed reclassification has not been approved, and the investigation does not mean motor vehicles will automatically gain access.

Anyone with relevant information about the affected route, particularly documentary evidence concerning its historical status, has been invited to contact Gloucestershire County Council.

The restricted byway will retain its existing legal classification unless a modification is formally approved following the investigation.