Kev
Sorry for the delay mate, it was my first day back today (4 on/4 off shift system)
Section 34 RTA1988 States
Prohibition of driving mechanically propelled vehicles elsewhere than on roads.
(1)Subject to the provisions of this section, if without lawful authority a person drives a mechanically propelled vehicle
(a)on to or upon any common land, moorland or land of any other description, not being land forming part of a road, or
(b)on any road being a footpath, bridleway or restricted byway,
he is guilty of an offence.
So basically what it means is getting caught riding in a public place (other than a road) will still result in the riders licence being endorsed. The riders docs would be checked and the bike could be given a good going over and any faults under the Construction and Use Regs being noted.
On private land without permission would/could just result in tresspass offences, England and Wales only