Clampdown on off-road fanatics

THE GOVERNMENT is set to clamp down on people who drive four-wheel vehicles, quad bikes and motorcycles on bridleways and footpaths.

Junior DEFRA minister Alun Michael will propose a new law this autumn to prevent motor vehicles gaining access to “green lanes” once used by horses and carts.

Pressure is mounting at Westminster for action to protect green lanes following angry confrontations with ramblers and horse riders, reports The Daily Telegraph.

Considerable damage has been caused to the 6,000-year-old Ridgeway in southern England and other routes on the Yorkshire moors, it says.

Mr Michael told the paper that byways with no history of use by motorised traffic, should not be opened up to four-wheel-drive vehicles.

“It would simply alter the rules so that you could not assert rights of way for motorised vehicles on the basis of a horse and cart using it in 1683.”

In future new rights of way would be restricted to their traditional use.

The Telegraph says the government‘s proposals will be outlined in a response to a consultation document expected next month or in October.

Mr Michael received 15,000 submissions to the consultation document and has made it clear that the rules needed to be updated.