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Unintentionally driving down private road - Josh_D

Hello,

After stopping by in a village, the driver thought they had entered the next destination into Google maps and so continued their journey. However, it directed them to make a sharp turn onto what looked like a country lane. Driver actually missed the road the first time but came back and turned in, focused ahead as it was a narrow road. They continue until reaching a point where a fence lays next to the road on either side which had private road, no access signs. Maps was saying to continue but driver stopped and manoeuvred to face the exit direction. Before driver started to leave, they checked maps to see a random location was accidentally clicked on to which the destination was set to. Whilst 'driver 1' is amending the destination on the side of the road (with poor signal) a car comes down from the private section beyond the fence and this 'driver 2' blocks 'driver 1', says "alright" and tells their passenger the plate number of "driver 1" and drives further down the road stopping on the side. 'Driver 1' having corrected their navigation after a few mintues, now drives towards entrance, past 'driver 2' (who could have stopped to record them on the road). 'Driver 1' looks at the surroundings of the entrance at the main road and sees one 'private road' sign in the bush which was not obviously visible when entering, and also a similar small sign on a short post on the corner with other small boards which seemed like commercial signs, again, not eye catching when entering from the main road.

Unfamiliar with the area and led by the navigation, 'driver 1' enters private road and drives until they see an obvious sign. They are concered because their plate number was recorded and were possibly filmed by exiting (what they thought was an ungated public road) by 'driver 2'. 'Driver 1' is worried monetary demands may be made or that they are threatened court action by 'Driver 2'. Any advice on the laws surrounding this or previous experience would be hugely appreciated.

Unintentionally driving down private road - daveyjp

A private road can be a highway.

Nothing to worry about.

Unintentionally driving down private road - Bromptonaut

Wait and see. As pointed out a private road can still be a highway.

Some places try and enforce the private nature of their estate with cameras etc. Moor Park near Rickmansworth is a case in point.

The owners may trace the Registered Keeper and attempt to recover some sort of charge but their legal grounds to pursue it further are probably limited.

Unintentionally driving down private road - SLO76
Unlikely any invoice will ever appear, and even if any did it is just that, an invoice. Fling it in the bin.
Unintentionally driving down private road - Crickleymal

At the moment trespass is purely a civil offence so as you were leaving there's little they can do.

You were probably filmed because they were worried you were casing the place prior to stealing something.