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.
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GLASS LEGAL / TRO Fighting Fund Appeal
GLASS is appealing to both members and non-members to make donations to the above Fighting Fund. The Fund is in support of any legal action that we may need to take against any threats to our continued use of Unsurfaced Rights of Way (Green Lanes) in the UK.
The recent decision in a Magistrate Court resulted in £20,000 costs being awarded against the person bringing the action which if upheld would bring to an end any member of the public's ability to bring Councils to book over lanes that have fallen into disrepair. Whilst a Magistrate Court does not set precedence the fear of £20,000 costs would leave Councils with a free hand.
Due to this decision alone many Order Making Authorities may rethink their strategies with regard to Motor Vehicles in the Countryside. We will continue to contest any further unreasonable TROs proposed elsewhere as well as misuse of the TRO process.
GLASS TRO Fighting Fund donation page on the GLASS Shop
All money donated will go to fighting this case, in the event that we raise more money than needed the surplus will be held separately and will only be used for future legal actions taken in the support of laning.
For more information visit this page
An update as of 25/02/2013 is available here
Update as of 20/03/2013 is available here
Update as of 23/03/2013 is available here
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The Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) is proposing to make a permanent traffic regulation order (TRO) on
the iconic Chapel Gate route in Derbyshire to prevent use by mechanically propelled vehicles at any
time.
The
proposed order, a statement giving the reasons for the order and a map showing
the extent of the proposed restrictions can be viewed at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/consultations
and at Aldern House, Bakewell from 8.45am to 5pm Monday to Friday (closed Bank and Public
Holidays).
Objections can be made in writing (including
the grounds on which they are made) by 28 June 2013 via the consultation
webpage referred to above or by email to
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Chapel Gate is currently one of the best driveable routes in the Peak District. We need to muster as many
objections as possible. On previous consultations for the Roych and
Long Causeway we managed over 4000 objections and that swamped the National
Park, slowing the process almost to a standstill. The link above will give all the information needed from
the Peak Park’s
website. Please object, however briefly. The objections do not need to be long or
technical. Simply saying you object because the Authority is unfairly discriminating against vehicular users is sufficient, but you may wish to give a few supporting reasons as well. To help there
are several points below, which PDVUG have suggested you may wish to consider including in your objection:
- The Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) is
acting in a discriminatory manner by singling out recreational vehicle
users for 'management' in this way.
- The PDNPA is openly prejudiced and biased against
vehicle users, with Members of the Authority taking public positions and
being members of pressure groups opposed to recreational drivers and
riders.
- The recommendations of the Local Access Forum (LAF),
which is a legal body formed to advise the PDNPA on matters around Rights
of Way was ignored in proposing this Permanent TRO. The LAF had
recommended a limited TRO.
- The Authority conducted a biased survey as
part of an unlawful Experimental TRO, and they have used its biased and
discriminatory findings to seek a
Permanent TRO.
- The Authority states a concern is for the ecology of
the area, which is part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), but they
will not concede that the area is also Open Access. It is therefore acceptable for walkers to leave the route to wander freely across the same protected landscape.
- The Authority claims to be concerned about walkers and other users being forced from the route by the presence of vehicles or even the ‘expectation’ of meeting
vehicles, and so widening the track. However, the same problem of widening has been shown to occur elsewhere on bridleways and restricted byways where RPVs are not allowed. In practice other users stray from the track whether vehicles use it or not.
- The PDNPA are unfairly removing
a historic legal right to use Chapel Gate for a small minority of
users on the pretext of protecting "amenity" and "natural beauty". The Authority suggests that to protect the amenity for other users, vehicle users can
use the surfaced road network as an alternative. However they refuse to suggest
that walkers, cyclists and horse riders could use the many alternative footpaths
and bridleways to maintain the amenity for recreational drivers.
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The BBC News web site has revealed that the proposed vehicle bans on Chapel Gate and other Peak District lanes will cost £100,000 - the Authority has committed the money for legal costs and staffing. "It's a lot of money" said David Sparkes (a GLASS member from Derbyshire). "If the Authority felt National Park users are coming into conflict with each other over road use, they could have spent that money on improving signage or access". GLASS, PDVUG and TRF members will be attending a meeting of the Peak District National Park Authority's Audit, Resources and Performance Committee on 3rd May at the PDNPA's Aldern House head office in Bakewell to argue against a ban on Chapel Gate. More details from the BBC website http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-22297467 |
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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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Membership
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES TEL. NO: 0115 8752885
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 30,000 people.
You can now renew your membership or join GLASS at the GLASS Online Store |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 15 February 2013 )
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