A new pressure group of 14 bodies has been formed to press for firmer action by the government to preserve green lanes from damage by 4x4s and trail bikes.
Opposition to the unsuitable use of green lanes by motorised
vehicles seems to be hardening with the formation of a new group
committed to limiting the access of trail bikes and 4x4s to ancient
horse and cart tracks.
The new Green Lanes Protection Group (GLPG) is formed by
14 bodies which include the Ramblers Association - long opposed to
off roading - the Country Land and Business Association,(CLA), the
Green Lanes Environmental Action Movement (GLEAM), the Campaign for
the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) and others.
The group was formed to support the government's Natural
Environmen and Rural Communities BIll which is passing through
Parliament at the moment. Part 6 of the bill is intended to clarify
on what basis motorised vehicles can legally use green lanes.
Many of these were originally intended for use by horse and carts
and are, say the GLPG, totally unsuitable for motorised vehicles
which cause huge ruts and ruin the enjoyment of the routes for walks,
cyclists and riders. They also, say the GLPG, hinder farmers and land
managers from using the route duing their work.
The new bill will make it harder for offroaders to claim the right
to drive on green lanes with the result, say the GLPG, that
offroaders have initiated an organised campaign to claim more ancient
rights of way as Byways Open to All Traffic (BOATS) before the bill
becomes law.
The GLPG would like to see firmer action by the government, but in
any case is urging it to adopt the measures in the bill and to
'urgently implement the new legislation to prevent further damage to
an important part of our heritage, habitats, landscapes and rural
life'.
According to Jacquetta Fewster, Director of Campaigns at the
Ramblers' Association: "This legislation is not far-reaching enough.
What is needed from this government is tough action now on this
destruction of our natural environment. Any delay in implementation
will allow hundreds more footpaths to be opened up for motor vehicle
use causing irrevocable damage and shattering the peaceful enjoyment
of the countryside."
On The Other Hand...
Meanwhile off-roading groups such as the Green Lane Association
(GLASS)
and the Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF) are complaining
that groups such as the Green Lane Environmental Action Group
(GLEAM), the Yorkshire Dales Green Lane Alliance (YDGLA) and the
Friends of the Ridgeway (FoR) 'continue to stand in the way of
effective management of trail riding and driving'.
They believe that ' the continued negative and uncooperative
attitude of some anti-vehicle pressure groups is undermining the
Government's Framework for Action proposals for the use of
mechanically propelled vehicles on rights of way'.
There's a code of conduct on the GLASS web site. If more off
roaders actually followed it, then 4x4s might be less unpopular. One
item says
'Be courteous to other road users - pull over and stop your
vehicle for walkers, but pull over, stop your vehicle and switch off
the engine for passing horses. Thank those who move over for
you.'
Another reads:
'Travel at a quiet and unobtrusive pace and as slowly as
practicable; we recommend a maximum of 12 mph when in a 4x4 and on an
Unsurfaced Right of Way (URoW).'
Watch This Space...
