FARMERS starting to plough after the harvest have been urged to restore public rights of way crossing their fields - or risk prosecution and heavy fines.
Easingwold-based Yorkshire regional director for the Country Land and Business Association, Dorothy Fairburn, warned that if a cross-field path or bridleway cannot be avoided, it must be made good afterwards.
"It is illegal to plough or disturb a field edge path at any time," she said.
"Cross-field paths can be ploughed or disturbed, but must be made good to at least one metre or two for bridleways within 14 days - or 24 hours if it's a further disturbance," she added.
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