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GLASS is the National User Group for those who enjoy using the Country’s network of ancient unsurfaced public roads and vehicular rights of way. We are a not for profit association dedicated to driving, protecting and researching our unique heritage of unsurfaced public highways. We promote legal and responsible driving as a way of enjoying the countryside and campaign against irresponsible use.
Glass offers its members access to information and advice, a quarterly magazine and full access to our comprehensive on-line database of rights of way in Great Britain. We also have a network of local representatives who hold regular meetings and can offer local knowledge to our members.
Green Lane Traffic Ban Quashed as ‘Unbalanced and Irrational’
by the High Court.
19th June 2009
The decision handed down by His Honour Judge Behrens, QC, in the Administrative Court in Leeds has restored four important green lanes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park to recreational motor vehicle use.
The Motoring Organisation’s Land Access and Recreation Association (LARA) challenged the decision of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority to discard the recommendations of its own Green Lane Advisory Group, and instead to impose full-time prohibition of driving orders. Judge Behrens held that the Park Authority had not conducted the necessary degree of balancing of movement of traffic, and acted irrationally when moving to exclude recreational motor vehicles from ‘green lanes’ in the National Park.
Association of Land Rover Clubs Auto-Cycle Union Amateur Motor Cycle Association British Motorcyclists Federation Green Lane Association Motor Cycle Industry Association Motor Sports Association Trail Riders Fellowship
Welcome to the GLASS Mythbusters series!
Myth: Recreational 4x4s cause 3 foot deep ruts.
Truth : Most 4x4s use tyres that are less than 30” in diameter, so have a radius of 15” or less. Even the largest tyres in everyday use are generally no bigger than 35” diameter, so have a radius of 17.5”
After taking account of the axles, differentials, brakes etc this gives most vehicles a ground clearance of around 4” to 8” and most are towards the lower figure. Therefore this is the deepest depth of rut a normal 4x4 could be expected to cause.
Major ruts are often caused by legitimate agricultural use. Some tractors can cause ruts 3' deep!
Many so called “ruts” are in fact caused by water run-off eroding existing channels in the surface. Yes these can be caused initially by vehicles (recreational or agricultural) or even cycle traffic or horse drawn vehicles. Lack of maintenance especially to drainage is often the reason they can get so bad.
Ruts can allow water to run off and cause vehicles to follow the same route, especially as many unsurfaced highways are fenced or walled. Whereas pocketing on open footpaths caused by horse or foot traffic can cause standing water that makes tracks waterlogged and encourages users to divert round, making the damage wider and wider. Anyone who has walked on the peat moors of northern England will have seen this effect.
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GLASS currently has over 1,000 direct members covering most parts of England, Scotland and Wales , with a few elsewhere. Our size is growing steadily. In addition, nearly 40 4x4 and other clubs are affiliated to GLASS bringing our total representation to around 18,000 people.
You can now renew your membership or join GLASS at theGLASS Online Store
The judgement in the LARA vs YDNPA High Court Case has been handed down this afternoon.
A copy of the judgement has been placed here Needless to say we are very pleased with the outcome and full press releases will be released soon. Well done to everyone involved.
Do you live in Norfolk, drive in Norfolk or are you just fed up with highway authorities discriminating against Green Lane drivers?
If so, here’s your chance to FIGHT BACK!!!
Norfolk County Council have announced their intention to permanently close the U57320, Grange Lane near Honningham. This unsealed unclassified road forms part of a small network of legal green lanes in an area which has otherwise been badly hit by NERC.
This is an important resource for Green Lane Drivers and Trail Riders in Norfolk and the proposed closure follows the recent controversy over the closure of another popular unclassified road, Fullers Lane at West Acre.
Recreational vehicle groups were not consulted over this latest attack on our access rights and local users fear that this could be the beginning of a wave of closures effectively finishing off what the NERC Act began.
The authorities stated reason for wanting to close this lane is to improve “security”, prevent fly tipping and improve the amenity for walkers and horse riders. They have not explained how criminalising legitimate users will achieve this. Once again they appear to have little regard for the rights or interests of motorcyclists or 4x4 drivers.
The only way to fight this abuse of power is for us all to object, now !!!
Don’t worry if you’ve never written to the council before, there’s no magic formula. Just write (or Email) in your own words, stating that you object to the proposed closure Grange lane (U57320). It doesn’t matter if you don’t live in Norfolk but if you do please point this out. Objections from local people will always carry more weight so please include your name & postal address (even if you Email).
Objections must be received before 16th June 09.
Write to: Mrs L Page
The office of the Department of Legal Services
Norfolk County Council
County Hall
Martineau Lane
Norwich
NR1 2DH
Or Email:
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