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Inspectors Handbook (updated November 2007)Proposed Diversions, Closures and Creation Peak and Northern Footpaths Society Signposts How to Communicate with Taylor House Highway Authorities and Codes used in databases and filing - Feb 2007
Introduction:The Peak & Northern Footpaths Society has been concerned with the preservation of Public Rights of Way for well over 150 years, and members who volunteer to inspect these paths in a Parish (or Parishes) are a vital section of the Society: they are our eyes and ears on all matters concerning footpaths, whether it be an obstruction or proposed closure or diversion of a path. When, in November 2006, the proposal to adopt a 'New Way of Working' was agreed, the Handbook on our website became to some extent out of date. This updated version includes the different way Inspectors adopting the 'new way' will be working as well as keeping the original way for those Inspectors not wishing to change. We hope that this revised Handbook will act as a 'reference manual' for both new and experienced Inspectors. It does not, nor can it, cover every possible situation which might be encountered: for anything not covered in the handbook, please refer to Taylor House. The Society deals with a total of 34 Highway Authorities (Metropolitan Borough Councils and Unitary Councils). There are three Courts and Inquiries Officers who handle all legal matters concerning footpaths in these areas, attend Public Inquiries and other meetings and issue S56 and S63 notices as necessary. Only the Courts and Inquiries Officers can issue these notices on behalf of the Society. They also attend Public Inquiries and other meetings on footpath matters on behalf of the Society. We now have Area Officers in some areas, who are responsible for footpath matters in one or more Metropolitan Borough Councils or Unitary Councils. It is hoped to appoint more Area Officers as we find more volunteers to take on this role.
The Law and Footpaths: Recommended and useful reading for Inspectors is the book Rights of Way - A Guide to Law and Practice by John Riddall and John Trevelyan, available from The Ramblers' Association, 1.5 Wandsworth Road, London SW8 2XX. Reference copies are also available at Taylor House and some public libraries.
As an Inspector, you will be concerned with two types of Ordnance Survey sheets. The Definitive Rights of Way map, which were prepared by local authorities following the introduction of the National Parks & Access to the Countryside Act 1949. Copies of these maps are mainly on a scale of 6" to 1 mile or 1:10000 and are held at the Society's office in Stockport; they are also available at some public libraries. Some authorities prefer their maps to be 2.5" to 1 mile - the smallest scale legally acceptable. All these maps are quite large and cannot legally be copied without first obtaining a licence from the Ordnance Survey, however some Highway Authorities will provide copies of the Definitive maps, and it is well worth approaching the Highway Authority for your area to see if you can obtain a copy from them. They are also available for inspection at some public libraries The Definitive Maps show all legal rights of way within a Parish or District, each path being allocated a number. Numbering systems vary between authorities, but usually a path will have a number which will change at the junction with another path. Examination of the map will show the path numbers and where they change. Footpaths are known by the name of the Parish and the number of the path. For example footpath number 5 in Grindon parish is known as Grindon FP5. Care should be taken where a footpath crosses a Parish boundary, as the Parish will obviously change, and the footpath number will almost always change as well. So that where, for example, Grindon FP5 crosses into Butterton Parish, it becomes, say, Butterton FP12. It is important to have an accurate footpath number, also a four-figure grid reference, to enable a path or fault to be pinpointed correctly. The 1:25000 or 2.5" to 1 mile Explorer map, which shows all rights of way, the information having been transferred from the Definitive Rights of Way Maps held by local authorities. Apart from some cartographical omissions and errors awaiting insertion or amendment by the Ordnance Survey, it should be noted that these maps do carry errors of path line - usually in respect of headland paths, i.e. paths alongside walls or hedgerows. Sometimes these appear on the wrong side of a field boundary. Any difficulties in this respect should be referred to Taylor House. On first obtaining a map, you should highlight on it the boundaries of your parish or parishes, andmark in the footpath numbers, which, with a few exceptions, are on the Definitive Maps kept in Taylor House. Some authorities and parishes are now producing maps which have the footpath numbers already marked, and these, where available, are very useful. Footpath numbers can also be found on the maps in some public libraries. It is left to individuals to decide on the frequency of their inspections, but all paths in an Inspector's parish or parishes should be walked at least every two years. Some Parishes have only a few Public Rights of Way while others have a considerable number. Inspectors are volunteers with other interests and commitments, so we are happy for you to do as much or as little inspecting as you are able to within this time scale. You should keep records of your inspections for your own benefit, and these will be of value in deciding on follow-up visits. The golden rule when inspecting is:
For instance, a path might appear to be a dead end or to be blocked with no stile, but further investigation could well show you are slightly off the line of the definitive path, or the stile is well hidden in overgrowth. There might be an obvious path across a field, but this might not be on the definitive line, or a sign or waymark could be pointing in the wrong direction. It is worth re-iterating how important it is to be sure that you are walking the right of way. Accurate map-reading and careful navigation are two skills you will find invaluable when checking definitive paths. The inspection can be part of an 'ordinary' walk which takes in footpaths in the allocated parish or parishes, a walk specifically arranged to take in several footpaths, or a visit to inspect a particular problem. The things to look for are similar in each case. The starting point will almost always be where a right of way leaves a metalled road. Confirm that there is a signpost, that it is in the correct position and pointing in the correct direction. Do not assume that because there is a sign or stile they are correctly positioned. Check against other features on the map - the hedgeline on the other side of the road, pond, field boundaries, adjacent road junction etc (bearing in mind that hedges are easily and often removed). Is there a stile or other access to the path from the road? Once you are satisfied that you are on the correct line, continue along the line of the path, checking each boundary crossing point. It is often useful to note any evidence of use of the path - some paths are little used and so can be hard to find on the ground. Careful navigation and investigation are needed if a stile or gate does not appear where it is thought there should be one. In most cases there will be some evidence of a stile or gate, but if not, perhaps you are slightly off line? Careful study of the map and reference to other features will usually help to find the 'missing' stile, as will a walk along the field boundary in which the stile should be situated. If there really is no stile, gate or way through, do check that you ARE on the line of the path and if so, report the obstruction. It often helps in a case of this sort to walk the path in the opposite direction - a 'missing' stile can often be more in evidence the other way round! You should try to be aware of any possible planning proposals or developments in your area which might affect public rights of way. The Assessors at Taylor House might well be aware of these, but your input and comments are always welcome. Local newspapers are a good source to use. The purpose of inspecting Public Rights of Way is to ensure they can be used by the 'average walker' (if there exists such a person!) without danger or difficulty. A useful test to apply is 'Can this right of way be used safely and easily by everyone who is likely to walk it?' To this end any problems encountered should be reported, and these will take many forms. Some of the more likely ones are given below. In all cases, the Grid reference and full details of the obstruction or fault should be given, supported by a diagram, sketch or photograph if possible. The impassable stream: if a path leads to a stream or watercourse which cannot be crossed by striding over it, is there evidence of there being a bridge there previously - fallen remains, abutments. Does the map show a footbridge? Perhaps there has never been a bridge, but maybe a ford or stepping stones which are no longer there or useable. In some cases modern machinery might have widened or deepened a formerly passable stream or dyke, to such an extent that crossing it is impossible without a bridge. The damaged or unsafe bridge: sometimes there is a bridge over a stream but it might be in poor repair, broken, dangerously tilted or slippery, or in need of a handrail to make it safe. The locked or tied gate: first of all, make sure the gate IS on the definitive line of the path - it is very easy to be slightly 'off line'. Check for a stile or gap in the field boundary either side of the gate. Once you are sure you are on the definitive line, check if the gate can be opened - many gates these days are not properly hinged but secured by binder twine and often require a weightlifter to open them. If the gate cannot be opened, note how it is secured - chain and padlock, nailed up, secured by wire, etc. Is the only way to proceed to climb the gate (NOT to be recommended)? Could it be climbed, or is there barbed wire across the top? Broken, difficult or dangerous stiles: stiles which are too high, too narrow, too wobbly, too slippery, decorated with barbed wire, lacking a though step, far too close to the road, on a blind corner - all these cause the walker considerable difficulty and should be reported. Housing or Industrial Development: these do need planning permission and it is highly likely that the Society will have been consulted at the Planning Stage, but unfortunately this is not always the case. Check for any diversion, official or unofficial, and if there is one, is it as good as the path? The large hole! This is often caused by, or as a result of, opencast mining or quarrying. Again, the Society may well have been consulted but this should not be assumed and a report should be submitted. It is not unusual to have Temporary Closure Orders for such workings and these can sometimes be for 50 years or more. Ploughing: briefly, a farmer is allowed to disturb the surface of a path but he must reinstate within 28 days. Headland paths must not be ploughed and a minimum width is prescribed. Cross-field paths through crops (not through grass) must be restored to a stated minimum width and subsequently crops must not be allowed to encroach within the prescribed area. The Society's policy on ploughing is to ensure that a good record of paths subject to ploughing is maintained, so regular inspections and updating reports from Inspectors are essential. The Society will invite Highway Authorities to prosecute only when consultation efforts have failed and we see the same path ploughed and not reinstated year after year. Buildings: farm type buildings, although not needing planning permission, are illegal obstructions if they are fully or partly across the line of the path. Undergrowth/overgrowth/fallen trees: a path might be blocked or very difficult to walk due to undergrowth with roots in or adjacent to the line of the path and overgrowth caused perhaps by overhanging branches or hedges encroaching on the path. Fallen trees can often be difficult to negotiate or can block a path completely. Secateurs if carried can be useful here as incursions of hawthorns etc., particularly at stiles, can often be dealt with by a quick snip, snip. However, please be sure you ARE on the line of the definitive path before snipping away! Mud/slurry: sometimes a path is boggy, covered in water, mud, dung or slurry, or badly rutted. If these faults cannot be easily bypassed, and make walking the path more difficult than could reasonably be expected in such a location, then a report should be submitted. Do these faults seem to be temporary (perhaps caused by recent heavy rain, or a blocked drain) or long-standing - does the ground always flood at that point, is the path always covered in mud and dung from cattle? A comment to this end on your report is helpful. A new road, by-pass, road widening scheme: a path might be crossed or affected by any one of these, and should not be obstructed by crash barriers. There might be a bridge over the road, or signs indicating where the path crosses, but check that the path can be safely walked and submit a report in any case. Extended gardens, paddocks, tennis courts: a path might have been included in a garden extension so that the right of way passes through the garden, paddock or tennis court. The path might have been officially diverted - in which case, Taylor House should have been informed - or unofficially diverted, perhaps with a sign directing walkers round the extended garden. Unless the diversion is clearly official, it should be reported. Car parks, football pitches, etc.: these often appear across rights of way and may only provide a temporary obstruction, but should be reported. Golf courses: more of these are being constructed all the time, Existing course often have rights of way crossing fairways and the danger to walkers (who incidentally do have right of way) is very real. Good waymarking across the course is essential and any problems should be reported. People: an obstruction by person is a very serious situation and is altogether different from the obstructions mentioned above. Arguments advanced by the landowner can be many and varied, but usually have one thing in common: there is NO footpath here! It is important that an Inspector is certain he/she IS on the definitive line of the PROW, so check the map carefully! The policy of the Society is to be non-confrontational - try showing the map and saying ' the green dashes on the map show a path' and ask where they think you should be walking, suggest signs or waymarks would be helpful in showing walkers which route to take. If this does not work and the landowner persists in refusing to admit there is a footpath, take careful note of what is being said and try to obtain the name and status of the person, and if requested provide your name and the name and address of the Society. An Inspector will have to decide, based on the circumstances, whether to proceed or to withdraw gracefully but in either case, submit a full report with as much detail as possible. If there is a suggestion that the Police have been or will be called, indicate that you will await their arrival and when they do, explain the situation, stating that you have reason to suspect the landowner or agent is preventing you from using a public highway. Take the officer's name and collar number. Do not become involved in an argument or discussion, just listen to what is being said. Be as factual as possible and provide evidence of your position with the Society, i.e your Inspector's badge. The officer will not be involved in any legal argument, he will just ensure there is no breach of the peace. Animals: in the countryside it is inevitable that we share the paths with our four footed 'friends'; unfortunately they are not always friendly friends. Please bear in mind the motto 'Safety First' - i.e. yours! Accompanied or mounted horses are of course allowed on Bridleways and Byways Open to all Traffic (BOATs), but not on footpaths, though there are occasions when a farmer allows riders to use a field through which a footpath passes, so a walker could meet a horse and rider on a footpath and the situation could be quite legal. Also, horses may be turned loose to graze in fields crossed by rights of way. There are two main concerns with regard to horses on rights of way, firstly hooves can cause considerable damage to a path surface and, secondly, on an enclosed way between walls or hedges, there might be insufficient room for both walker and rider to pass. If either of these situations is encountered, a report should be submitted. Hounds come in even more varieties that Heinz products. Many cause no problem to the walker but others certainly do. Watch for the dog chained but with the chain long enough to allow the dog to reach the footpath line. Many farm dogs are used to nipping the rear legs of farm animals, so a walking stick waved behind you might help deter a dog. Perhaps the best advice is to stand still and let the dog continue to bark and raise a hullabaloo, bringing its owner onto the scene. Watch for the face at the window or door and take note of any advice offered such as 'keep walking' or 'it's really quite a soft dog, it won't harm you'. If the dog appears really unfriendly, insist that the owner comes out and takes control of the animal. Should you, or any other walker, be bitten by a dog, a report to the Police is essential. The question you should ask yourself is - does the presence of this dog or dogs deter walkers from using the footpath? If the answer is yes, a report is appropriate. Bulls are sometimes found in fields through which a right of way passes. The law on Bulls on footpaths is rather complex and is detailed more fully in the recommended reading. The Society's advice to all path users must be to take extreme care. The Health and Safety Executive's report detailing accidents to farm workers involving bulls makes despairing reading. Please report all incidents, giving precise locations. Signs, waymarks and notices: these come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but from the point of view of inspection, we need only consider three: namely, those erected by the Highway Authority, those by other voluntary bodies and those by the Society. Highway Authorities have a statutory requirement to erect signposts where a PROW leaves a metalled road. Most authorities comply in part but there are very few who can say the task is complete. Many authorities have a programme of renewing or replacing signposts in a different part of their area each year, so missing, broken or misleading signposts should be reported. Signposts erected by other voluntary bodies such as the Council for the Preservation of Rural England and others are sometimes found. If this type of signpost is located, a brief comment on your report will ensure that details are included on the particular footpath file for posterity. You are likely to see signs erected by the Peak & Northern Footpaths Society as you carry out your inspection. The Society will not normally erect its signposts where a local authority has a statutory duty to do so. The Society's posts are, therefore, more likely to be found at difficult path junctions in open country. (See the section of the Society's signposts for more information). Signposts are sometimes on site but difficult to see. They can be
Waymarks: there is no statutory requirement for local authorities to waymark paths, but there is no doubt that discreet waymarking in certain areas, notably in and around farmyards or at difficult junctions, could be of great benefit to both landowners and walkers. It should be noted that waymarking can only be carried out with the consent of the landowner. Notices: for the purposes of this handbook, these fall into two categories, those which are legal and those which are illegal. Legal notices of all descriptions will give a positive indication and one which is not open to confusion. Not so the illegal notices of which there are many. It is these which cause the Society some concern. One common notice is PRIVATE ROAD TO WASHSIDE FARM. The notice itself is legal, but it is what is not said that causes concern. If a right of way goes down the road, we would ask the Highway Authority to erect a countering Public Footpath signpost alongside the notice. DANGER, BULL IN FIELD when there is no evidence of a bull in the field at the material time is illegal under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 Section 57. The offence is to place or maintain….a notice containing any false or mis-leading statement likely to deter the public from using the way. Another notice sometimes found is PRIVATE - PROCEED AT OWN RISK. On a right of way this is illegal and must be removed or amended - a local authority responsibility. The use of PRIVATE, KEEP OUT notices located adjacent to a path but said to refer to the adjacent woodland is to be deplored, but the legality of this notice depends very much on its siting. Beware of PLEASE USE ALTERNATIVE/CONCESSION/PERMISSIVE PATH : alternative paths are acceptable, and then with some reluctance, only if the definitive line is unobstructed and signed or waymarked to a degree equal to or better than the legal right of way. Inspectors not changing should report to Taylor House as previously, preferably using the standard footpath fault report form. These are available from Taylor House, or can reported via the Society's website here. Our work at Taylor House is made easier if these forms are used, but good typewritten or hand written reports are also acceptable. Please remember to insert the date, including the year, and it would be appreciated if reports could be sent in as soon after the date of the inspection as conveniently possible. Highway Authority - Parish - Footpath number These three things should appear on the fault report, as well as the eight-figure grid references of any faults. Please note that when giving grid references do not include the number of the map but just the east and north references, remembering East first, then North. You will be notified of responses from Highway Authorities - this can take a little time! Inspectors working the 'new way' will report directly to the appropriate Highway Authority, giving the same information as was previously sent to Taylor House: the Parish, the path number and the grid reference (East, then North) of the fault are essential , as is the date when the fault was found - the aim is to enable the Highway Authority to pinpoint the fault. Faults generally fall into three categories: 1. Faults or obstructions that are so serious that a notice needs to be served (paths blocked by barbed wire, fences or other deliberate blockages) or if there is a prolonged failure on the part of the Highway Authority to remedy a reported fault: these should be reported to the Area Officer or to Taylor House if there is no Area Officer and will be dealt with by them. 2. Faults which the Highway Authority will have on a 'rolling programme' and which will eventually be dealt with (missing signposts, seasonal overgrowth, crops): these should be reported to the Highway Authority but NOT copied to Taylor House unless the fault is long-standing or there is a problem. 3. Faults which do not fall into either of the above categories (broken stiles, damaged bridges, etc.): these should be reported to the Highway Authority and details copied to Taylor House for archiving. It is helpful if these are marked 'copies' to avoid any possible duplication - although we know which Inspectors are dealing directly with Highway Authorities, marking your copies as such will help us to ensure they are just archived. The parish and path number are also important as these form the basis of the filing system. It is anticipated that you will keep your own records of inspections carried out and develop your own method of reporting to, and chasing up, the Highway Authority. At Taylor House we usually allow three months for a fault considered dangerous (if this is not an S63), one year for 'rolling programme' faults and six months for most other faults before we send a reminder but this is just a guide as much will depend on the fault - you will have a better knowledge of this than we at Taylor House have and will be better able to judge the frequency of reminders. We do not need to know when you send reminders, but we do need details of cleared faults for the archives. We welcome any comments, queries or suggestions you might have about this new way of working. It is important to remember that when acting as a PNFS Inspector you should always follow the Society's guidelines and policy. For ALL Inspectors: We ask that you walk all the footpaths in your area at least every two years. If this is a problem because you have limited time, or too many footpaths, then please discuss this either with your Area Officer or with Taylor House. Fault reports, and copies of reports sent to the Highway Authority, may be sent by e-mail and will be acknowledged when the e-mail is read. The Society has an e-mail address specifically for footpath fault reporting. If reports are sent by post they will be acknowledged as soon as possible after receipt. It is important that we are told the parish and the path number as these form the basis of the filing system. It is expected that you will keep your own records of inspections carried out and as part of the follow-up inspection will inform Taylor House of any cleared or still outstanding faults. However, since Highway Authorities do not always inform us when a fault has been rectified, you might be asked to check on specific 'old' faults to enable us either to clear them from our database or to put pressure on the Highway Authority to resolve them. The Follow-up (for all Inspectors) It is vitally important to check reported faults if you have not been notified by the Highway Authority or Taylor House that the fault has been rectified. Local authorities can, and do, take years to remove obstructions and resolve other problems, but faults stay on our database until either the Highway Authority tells us the fault has been cleared or we receive a clearance or updated report from you. To enable us to keep the number of current files to a minimum, these follow-up reports are essential. The timing of the follow-up inspection is left to you, but a good guide is some eight to twelve months after the initial visit, with visits at your discretion thereafter. Some Inspectors prefer to do a yearly check on all their footpaths and this is perfectly acceptable. Another way is to check on previously reported faults and at the same time check any other footpaths in the area of the fault, or include checking 'old' faults in your normal footpath inspection. A follow-up report should indicate whether the fault originally reported has been resolved, is still the same, has worsened or improved, whichever is appropriate. Always give as much detail as possible. Please use the standard obstruction report form but indicate if the report is an 'update' or 'clearance'. It is quite possible that on a follow-up visit new faults are found: please report these as normal. Proposed Diversion, Closures and Creations. At times you might be asked, by the Area Officer, or the Assessors at Taylor House if there is no Area Officer, to look at a proposed diversion, closure or creation of a footpath in your area and report back to the Area Officer or the Society, giving an opinion of whether the proposed diversion, closure or creation will be of benefit to or be detrimental to walkers. Highway Authorities are statutorily required to inform the Society of diversions, closures and creations of footpaths. The Area Officers or a team of Assessors at Taylor House study the proposals and may request a site visit by the appropriate Inspector, who will be asked to give a report detailing the pros and cons of the change and their recommendation to the Society to accept or object to the change. This report should be sent to the Area Officer or to the Assessors at Taylor House. If using e-mail to report to Taylor House your report should be sent to the Assessors e-mail address and not to the footpath faults e-mail address. The policy of the Society is to oppose a proposed diversion route if it is not as convenient and enjoyable as the existing route - please bear this in mind when looking at any proposed diversion. The Society will oppose a closure or extinguishment of a public right of way unless a suitable alternative way is available or to be provided or the way is no longer needed by the public. It is important that when requested to inspect a public right of way that is the subject of a consultation or order you report back (to the Area Officer or to Taylor House) within the deadline set. If for any reason this deadline cannot be met, you should inform the Area Officer or Taylor House immediately. Please note that you should never make any commitment on behalf of the Society. Peak & Northern Footpaths Society's Signposts. The Society has a large number of signposts, and more are being erected all the time. As already mentioned, they are not normally placed where the Highway Authority has a duty to erect a signpost, but at junctions of footpaths, in situations where the sign will help walkers. You may well come across a suitable site where a signpost would be of benefit to walkers: if so, please send full details to Taylor House. Our signposts play a large part in publicising the Peak & Northern, and it is important that they are in good condition and do not look neglected. We have a Signpost Maintenance Team who work hard at keeping these signs in good condition. You will often come across PNFS signs on your inspections, and indeed when out walking generally. It would be appreciated if you could report on the siting and condition of these signposts as this will help our Signpost Maintenance Team in their work of ensuring that our signs are kept in good condition. The location (grid reference), the signpost number (to be found on the plate) and condition of any signs seen should be noted on a Signpost Maintenance Report Form and sent or e-mailed to Taylor House. Please do not e-mail these reports to the footpath faults address, but direct to the Signpost Maintenance Team. Please also be aware that the Society is always looking for suitable new sites for our signposts - and also bridges - so please do report any places you consider suitable. How to communicate with Taylor House: Increasingly in Taylor House we want to encourage the use of e-mail as the preferred choice of communicating both internally and with Highway Authorities. The society has four e-mail addresses for specific topics and it would be appreciated if you could please use the correct category as listed below:
If you need the full e-mail addresses please contact Taylor House on 0161 480 3565 Alternatively you can contact Taylor House via our website forms:
As a national charity the Society has to keep proper accounts and our Treasurer has to account for all outgoings, so any members making expense claims should provide details and receipts where at all possible. The Society is grateful for the time given to it by volunteers and is happy to pay all reasonable expenses incurred in work carried out on its behalf. Some volunteers might choose to further support the Society by meeting some of their expenses themselves, and we are extremely grateful for such support. Claim forms are available on request from Taylor House. Receipts should be attached to the claim form. Travelling Expenses may be claimed and for all such claims brief details of the journey and its purpose, mileage if a private car is used, receipts for bus or train travel should be submitted to the Treasurer. Mileage is payable at the rate of 30p per mile Please note that where there is adequate public transport, claims for car expenses should not exceed the cost of public transport. Maps can be supplied by Taylor House and if more than one is needed this is the most economical way as we have arrangements for a discount on any maps we purchase. For single maps the cost of postage outweighs the saving. If claiming for a map please specify area and scale, and remember to include your receipt with your claim form. Stationery and copying - please give details and provide a receipt if applicable. Postage may be claimed, but please keep a record of each letter. We only need the total of postage claims but do ask you to keep your detailed records for at least 15 months in case of any enquiry. Telephone calls - please use e-mail or cheap rate times if at all possible, and if making a claim please indicate briefly the purpose of the call and its duration, making an estimate of the total costs. Other items not covered above should have as much detail as possible and be supported by a receipt. Note that any major item of expenditure must receive the Officers' prior consent. To keep operating costs to a minimum it would be appreciated if claims under £10 are not made except of course at the end of December each year, when all unpaid expenses should be claimed. All claims are authorised by the Officers at the monthly Officers' Meetings which are usually towards the end of each month. Claim forms can be posted to the Treasurer Taylor House and will be dealt with as soon as possible after receipt. Cheques are usually posted, second class post, within ten days of the meeting at which they are authorised. Highway Authorities and Codes used in databases and filing - Feb 2007
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