Many of England’s quiet green lanes will be protected from further damage by fuel guzzling 4X4s thanks to new legislation introduced by DEFRA Minister Jim Knight. The RA is celebrating victory following the Minister’s pledge to close the legal loophole that allows motor vehicle users to use byways once driven by a horse and cart.
The RA, along with a coalition of countryside campaigners, has campaigned for more than a decade to protect our most precious tracks from recreational motor vehicles, which were causing untold destruction and damage.
During the debate on the third reading of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill (NERC) on Tuesday, October 11, Jim Knight made it clear that he intends to commence the provisions of Part 6 of the Bill as soon as possible after Royal Assent.
Campaigners had feared that a proposed gap between the Act receiving Royal Assent and commencement would result in a submission to local authorities of huge numbers of claims for routes to be registered as byways open to all traffic.
The Government will also give national park authorities the power to make traffic regulation orders to control motor vehicular use of rights of way within the parks.
Janet Davis, Head of Rights of Way Policy at the RA, said: “Tuesday’s debate showed cross-party support for these measures, reflecting the views of the RA and we congratulate the government on its decisive stand.”
The RA carried out an opinion poll in 2004 which showed overwhelming support for a ban on off-roading in the countryside. A massive 94% of people felt it was important to preserve and protect the countryside, with 84% saying that they believed recreational off-roading should be banned in national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty to preserve the peace and tranquillity of the countryside. Thousands of RA members wrote to the government on this issue.
