Old Lane has existed as a means of public access for at least 850 years, potentially much longer. Recorded in documents related to Rievaulx Abbey & Mount Grace Priory, it linked the village of East Harlsey to a monastic Grange serving Mount Grace Priory. It has been used regularly by both the residents of East Harlsey & many hikers as a route to the Priory to the East & Harlsey Castle to the West. It's a secondary access to Saint Oswald's Church & Cemetery & also passes the site of Bronze Age earthworks.

In March of 2021 residents adjacent to Old Lane erected a fence running the length of their property. The fence encloses the majority of the Lane & leaves a narrow Right of Way to one side. North Yorkshire County Council Rights of Way Office has issued an enforcement notice for the removal of the fence. The property owners have ignored the enforcement notice & now submitted a planning application to build on Old Lane.

We are petitioning North Yorkshire County Council to enforce the removal of the fence. We believe that Old Lane should return to its original lane width along the section where the fence was illegally erected.

Please sign our petition to ensure we have access to Old Lane for another 850 years!