Deregulation Bill

“Mechanically propelled vehicles on unsealed roads" What like 4x4's?

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/lbill/2014-2015/0033/amend/am033-n.htm

The thin end of the wedge appears to have just got a bit thicker, scary prospect and where is the voice of GLASS when we need it the most?

I hope someone points out to them that making public rights of way inaccessible to vehicles puts pedestrian users of the same rights of way at risk . And cost wise whats the odds any local authority would call in the R.A.F rather than cut a bit of fence down to allow an ambulance access .

A green paper was produced in the 1990s which showed that the use of unsurfaced ways by recreational offroaders had minimal impact. Most damage was by commercial traffic (i.e. tractors) and natural errosion processes

the really important bit is at the bottom, although the styles and gates thing could be used as a (illegal!) was of closing byways to traffic. legally, they have to allow access unless the byeway is subject to a TRO.

here's the last bit for those who don't manage to work through all the preceding stuff.

(1) Within one year of the passing of this Act, the Secretary of State shall lay
before both Houses of Parliament a report containing an assessment of the
burdens and costs caused by the use of mechanically propelled vehicles on
unsealed rights of way to—
(a) the users of such rights of way,
(b) landowners and tenants, and
(c) other interested parties, including highway authorities, Natural
England, National Park Authorities, local authorities, parish
councils and other community organisations.
(2) A report under subsection (1) shall include—
(a) proposals to alleviate such burdens and costs, and
(b) an assessment as to whether legislation should continue to permit
mechanically propelled vehicles to use unsealed rights of way.
(3) The Secretary of State may through regulations implement any proposals
contained in the report under subsection (1).
(4) Regulations made under subsection (3) shall be made by statutory
instrument.
(5) A statutory instrument under subsection (4) shall not be made unless a
draft has been laid before and approved by both Houses of Parliament.
(6) The Secretary of State shall not issue a report under subsection (1) until he
has consulted with such interested parties as he thinks fit.”