Looks like more lanes have been lost to us, this time in Kent.
I received the following email earlier:
"Dear Sir / Madam
Byways Open to All Traffic (BOATs) MR45A, Snodland and NS245 & NS221, Luddesdown, Making Permanent of the Experimental Scheme of Traffic Regulation
Byways Open to All Traffic (BOATs) MR45A, NS245, NS221 and RS221 and Chapel Lane form a small network of BOATs and unclassified roads located on the border of Tonbridge and Malling Borough, Gravesham Borough and Medway Council Area. MR45A forms part of the North Downs Way National Trail. The BOATs provide access to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The site is entirely situated within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
In 2011 a report was produced for the Byways Working Group and Kent Countryside Access Forum following consultation with the local community, vehicle users, public rights of way user groups and other interested parties. The report was produced as a result of concerns being expressed about vehicle use of the BOAT’s and specifically damage to their surfaces, deliberate and damaging use of the margins and areas of land immediately beside them, wide spread vehicle trespass that was damaging to the SSSI and areas of agricultural land. Additionally fly tipping and other criminal activity had been identified as occurring.
The County Council and Medway Council introduced an experimental scheme as they wished to assess the impact of the scheme:
In reducing reported instances of antisocial behaviour/ criminal damage
In enabling the repair and recovery of the BOATs and their margins,
In allowing the recovery of ground flora within the SSSI.
In halting degradation of the BOAT surface resulting from vehicle use
In enabling more effective policing of the area,
In enabling responsible use by permit by motor vehicle users.
The Orders could have been amended at any time had it become clear that a change would improve their effectiveness. The Orders were kept under review and it did not prove necessary to amend them.
The effectiveness of the Orders in achieving their intended aims was assessed after 14 months of operation. The assessment indicated that the Orders had proved effective and a decision was taken to make Orders giving permanent effect to the experimental scheme of traffic regulation.
The County Council has, having consulted the Chief Police Officer, made permanent the Experimental Scheme of Traffic Regulation.
Please find enclosed:
a copy of the Orders.
a copy of the Councils’ Statement of Reasons in support of making the Orders.
a plan showing the route to which the TRO applies.
Yours faithfully"
I've begun to think that maybe it's just not worth taking the truck laning anymore and I should just take the bike out instead, bikes have better support in the form of the TRF and much more access.
I received the following email earlier:
"Dear Sir / Madam
Byways Open to All Traffic (BOATs) MR45A, Snodland and NS245 & NS221, Luddesdown, Making Permanent of the Experimental Scheme of Traffic Regulation
Byways Open to All Traffic (BOATs) MR45A, NS245, NS221 and RS221 and Chapel Lane form a small network of BOATs and unclassified roads located on the border of Tonbridge and Malling Borough, Gravesham Borough and Medway Council Area. MR45A forms part of the North Downs Way National Trail. The BOATs provide access to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The site is entirely situated within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
In 2011 a report was produced for the Byways Working Group and Kent Countryside Access Forum following consultation with the local community, vehicle users, public rights of way user groups and other interested parties. The report was produced as a result of concerns being expressed about vehicle use of the BOAT’s and specifically damage to their surfaces, deliberate and damaging use of the margins and areas of land immediately beside them, wide spread vehicle trespass that was damaging to the SSSI and areas of agricultural land. Additionally fly tipping and other criminal activity had been identified as occurring.
The County Council and Medway Council introduced an experimental scheme as they wished to assess the impact of the scheme:
In reducing reported instances of antisocial behaviour/ criminal damage
In enabling the repair and recovery of the BOATs and their margins,
In allowing the recovery of ground flora within the SSSI.
In halting degradation of the BOAT surface resulting from vehicle use
In enabling more effective policing of the area,
In enabling responsible use by permit by motor vehicle users.
The Orders could have been amended at any time had it become clear that a change would improve their effectiveness. The Orders were kept under review and it did not prove necessary to amend them.
The effectiveness of the Orders in achieving their intended aims was assessed after 14 months of operation. The assessment indicated that the Orders had proved effective and a decision was taken to make Orders giving permanent effect to the experimental scheme of traffic regulation.
The County Council has, having consulted the Chief Police Officer, made permanent the Experimental Scheme of Traffic Regulation.
Please find enclosed:
a copy of the Orders.
a copy of the Councils’ Statement of Reasons in support of making the Orders.
a plan showing the route to which the TRO applies.
Yours faithfully"
I've begun to think that maybe it's just not worth taking the truck laning anymore and I should just take the bike out instead, bikes have better support in the form of the TRF and much more access.
