National Park forced to adopt 'Zero Tolerance' policy towards illegal off-road vehicles [07 November 2003]

'Zero Tolerance' may be synonymous with cleaning up crime in New York City, but a National Park Authority in Wales has been forced to adopt a similar approach to solve the growing problem of illegal off-road vehicles.

The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority's adoption of a zero tolerance policy towards recreational off-roaders acting illegally within the national park is proving successful.

The National Park Authority has been working closely with the police to clamp down on the number of illegal 4x4 vehicles and off-road motorbikes tearing up the National Park. Since the zero tolerance policy was adopted, seventeen scramble bikes and two 4x4 vehicles have been caught by police. On-the-spot fines have been issued or in some instances court cases are to follow.

The National Park Authority were increasingly aware of damage that off-road vehicles were causing to areas of the park not designated for vehicular access - their main concern was the illegal use of the open hills - forcing them to adopt the zero tolerance policy.

The crackdown has also found that off-roaders have been ignoring a seasonal Traffic Regulation Order put in place to allow a 'green lane', or Byway Open to All Traffic, to recover from damage caused by vehicles. Other vehicles have been caught by police illegally using footpaths and bridleways.


Help our campaign

The Ramblers' Association (RA) is working with a number of organisations including English Nature, the Council for National Parks and the Campaign for Protection of Rural England, to encourage authorities, especially national park authorities, to use new legislation introduced in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to protect the countryside and restrict recreational motor vehicles from green lanes.

The RA is also compiling an 'At Risk Register' of the most vulnerable green lanes. Please send us examples of paths that are being damaged by the activities of recreational off-road vehicles, with photographs wherever possible, for the register. Examples should be sent to our central office either by email or post.

In a recent development in Parliament, an Early Day Motion (EDM 1589) tabled by John Mann, MP for Bassetlaw, is calling on the government to protect green lanes from recreational off-road use.

The RA is urging everyone to contact their MP and ask them to sign the motion. MPs contact details can be found by clicking on this link Parliament's Web Directory.

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