stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 21:23 - 02 Apr 2022 Post subject: Moves to close green lanes. Please respond to consultation |
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There is an ongoing consultation about moves to close unsealed roads to motor vehicles, particularly in national parks and beauty spots in England as part of the landscape review.
You have unti the 9th of April to respond.
Fewer people respond to these consultations than you'd think. It's important. They have to take responses into account.
There's a video here showing a bit of background and how to respond:
https://youtu.be/dU-mZ14P9rE
For what it's worth, here were my responses:
Question 14
Quote: | I feel recreational motor vehicle use is a totally legitimate use of unsealed routes. It is a hobby which gives me great pleasure, enhances my physical and
mental wellbeing and is how I chose to access our green spaces and national parks.
There is a significant economic benefit to recreational motor vehicle users too who usually engage with businesses in the local area for accommodation,
eating and local services. For example, after a days trail riding, I usually treat myself to a meal out locally, perhaps overnight accommodation and visit the
local shops with my wife.
I feel any suggestion that the way I chose to use our public byways is more or less legitimate than say a walker, cyclist or horse rider is devisive and elitist
at best, selfish at worst. If someone feels strongly they wish to carry out these activities without being exposed to motor vehicles, there are already many,
many more miles of footpaths and bridleways where motor vehicles are not allowed than there are unsealed routes open to motor vehicles.
While illegal and antisocial use of unsealed routes is a problem, it is already covered by numerous pieces of primary legislation. So the problem is not
access to the routes themselves but a lack of enforcement of existing laws. Making further laws which impinge on the rights of law abiding citizens to
exercise their rights of access is punishing the wrong people. We do not ban people from entering shops because some people chose to steal from them |
Question 16
Quote: | In addition to my responsed to question 14 which apply to this question too, I am a member of the Motorcycling Club and take part in classic and long
distance motorcycle trials. Most of these make extensive use of the shrinking network of unsealed roads open to motor vehicles, many of which are
located in national parks. Many of these events have a history dating back over 100 years and further closures would put these historic sporting events in
jeopardy.
While one might say exemption can be made for such events, it is the case that if these routes were closed for all other uses, they would rapidly fall into a
state of disrepair that would preclude their future use by motor vehicles, quicky becoming overgrown and weather damaged. This has already been seen
to an extent following the recent "lockdown" periods where we were not free to go out and make use of these routes. A closed road ceases to be a road
after a surprisingly short time and can become so degraded it is no longer suitable for any use, let-alone vehicle access. I would be happy to show
someone examples of this locally to me in the Lake District.
It is also the case that restricting their use to specific events only would mean I would have a very limited ability to practice my sport legally outside these
events. As well as the negative impact on my fitness and mental wellbeing, it would also mean I would be out of practice and at risk of accident or injury
during these events.
Restricting the use of these roads would be persecuting the many legal, law-abiding citizens who use them on a regular basis based on the behaviour of a
few people who are already acting illegally. We already have robust road traffic laws with clearly defined offences and penalties which apply to unsealed
roads in the same way as they apply to the normal highway structure. To combat antisocial and illegal driving, they simply need to be enforced.
Let us also not lose sight of the fact that thes ARE roads and have been for as long as there have been motor vehicles. They are not footpaths or
bridleways, they were built to carry vehicular traffic and take the form of a track wide enough to accommodate a car or 4x4 with vehicle-width gates and
appropriate river crossings in the form of bridges and fords. If they were primarily designed for only walking, cycling and horse riding, they would be
single track paths.
Much of the campaigning for the closure of these routes comes from a selfish and highly vocal minority of users who feel the way they chose to access
the countryside is the only legitimate use of the countryside. I treat other users of the routes such as walkers, cyclists and horse riders with utmostrespect when I am using my motorcycle in accordance with the hierarchy of road users and simple common courtesy. This is usually reciprocated, with a
friendly wave and a "Lovely day to be out" when I am stopped at the side of a route to allow other users to safely pass. It saddens me to find this
respectful attitude and awareness that my hobby is not the only legitimate use of the countryside is not always reciprocated by a prejudiced vocal
minority who are unwilling to share. |
____________________ “Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles. |
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha World Chat Champion
Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :
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Copycat73 World Chat Champion
Joined: 11 Jan 2013 Karma :
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Posted: 11:44 - 09 Apr 2022 Post subject: |
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yeah .. put mine in some time ago .. did write to my local MP. too .. tree shook .. see what falls out .. ____________________ Whatever I post I have no citation and no intention of providing one..
caveat emptor |
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MarJay But it's British!
Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :
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Fizzer Thou World Chat Champion
Joined: 06 Aug 2011 Karma :
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