National Parks get "green light" to protect green lanes

12 October 2005
 

The Council for National Parks (CNP) (1) is delighted by yesterday's announcement by the Minister for Rural Affairs, the Rt. Hon. Jim Knight MP, that National Park Authorities are to get new powers to restrict or ban use of ancient byways and highways by "off-road" motor vehicles (2). 

Donna O'Brien, CNP's green lanes campaigner, said: "This welcome move follows many months of campaigning by CNP.  National Park Authorities and many other countryside organisations have strongly supported this measure.  The growing use of off-road motor vehicles, such as quad bikes and four-wheel drives for recreation is having an unacceptable impact on the National Parks.  In May 2005 CNP's research found evidence of terrible damage to areas such as the Brecon Beacons, Exmoor, Lake District, North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales (3).  The National Parks were created for people to enjoy fresh air and peace and to get away from the ever-present motor car, and not as testing grounds for all-terrain vehicles." 

Donna continued: "When vehicles are using ancient monuments as stunt ramps, destroying areas rich in wildlife, and putting pedestrians, cyclists and horse-riders in danger, action to control irresponsible drivers needs to be swift.  But because National Park Authorities had to negotiate for local highway authorities to implement the control orders needed, the process has been time consuming and delays have led to further damage (4).  As the Minister himself has stated it is right that National Park Authorities have the necessary tools to manage traffic on recreational routes in the National Parks.  However, it is essential that National Park Authorities have the necessary funding to exercise their new powers, and we shall be looking to the government to provide reassurances on this when the Bill reaches the House of Lords."

Notes to Editors

1. The Council for National Parks is the national charity that works to protect and enhance the National Parks of England and Wales, and areas that merit National Park status, and promote understanding and quiet enjoyment of them for the benefit of all.

2.  During the 3rd reading and report stage of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill, the government introduced an amendment to give National Park Authorities the powers to make "Traffic Regulation Orders", or "TROs", the legal tools which enable non-essential use of routes by motor vehicles to be controlled.  The amendment built on a CNP amendment during the 2nd reading in June 2005, tabled by Roger Williams MP.  Yesterday's amendment and debate can be found at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm051011/debtext/51011-11.htm#51011-11_head1

3.  CNP published research in May 2005 on off-road vehicle use in the National Parks and suggested that part of the solution to the problem would be to grant Traffic Regulation Order powers to the National Park Authorities.  "Off-road or off limits?" can be found and downloaded from the CNP website www.cnp.org.uk. 

4.  Examples of delays include TROs desperately needed for the Pennine Bridleway National Trail, which has undergone £750,000 of repairs as it uses routes claimed by off-road vehicles, two years for a TRO to protect ecologically important spawning grounds in a river used by four-wheel drives in the Lake District National Park, and three years to protect four of the most fragile green lanes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, some of them ancient Roman routes. 

Contact:           Ruth Chambers on 020 7924 4077 ext. 222

For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222