DollyRocket
Registered user
Hi,
There are a number of ukgser off road bikers who use the lanes around the Bentworth area in Hampshire. There are plans to run an experimental traffic regulation order (ETRO) on these lanes at the request of land owners which will effectively cull a huge chunk of the around basingstoke off-road circular route. The TRF are fighting this as it will lead to further restrictions if it is granted.
I would urge anyone who has ever ridden these lanes or are likely to want to in the future send a letter of objection to Hampshire County Council, although please don't mention the TRF otherwise they will get lumped together and not counted as individual objections. Remember - you have paid your road tax, so why should you be taxed further to ride
<SNIP - Letter from Hants CC>:
You may be aware that Hampshire County Council has been working in conjunction with user groups and local residents to try to resolve the issues that have arisen on the Byways Open to All Traffic (BOATs) that are marked on the attached plan. A number of these routes have been under temporary closure owing to the significant surface damage that had occurred. Repairs are planned for the coming months and the routes will remain closed whilst the surface repairs settle in. They will then be reopened gradually to one type of use at a time - first to walkers, then cyclists, then horses and finally vehicles - to allow the impact of this increasing use to be monitored.
In addition to the above staged re-opening of the route following repairs, the Council proposes to implement an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO), the effect of which will be to prohibit use of the route by all motorised vehicles, except for those who have applied for and been issued with a permit by the Council. The ETRO will be enforced by use of gates fitted with combination locks, the code for which will be given to permit holders only. Permit holders will be required to agree to a code of good conduct and any contravention of this will result in the permit being withdrawn and the lock codes changed. In this way the irresponsible and illegal use that has caused so much damage to these routes will be prevented, without removing access for responsible motorised users.
The ETRO will allow us to test the effectiveness of the permit scheme and to make any adjustments that may become necessary once the scheme is operational. It will remain in force for up to 18 months and will provide evidence to inform any proposal that may be put forward to make the ETRO permanent.
It is the Council's policy to adopt the least restrictive solution that will be effective in addressing problems on a BOAT. Further details regarding the use of motorised vehicles in the countryside can be found on the HCC website here http://www3.hants.gov.uk/row/vehicles-row.htm. The approach outlined above will allow us to test the effect of this restriction and will provide evidence on the impact of different types of use. This will in turn inform future decisions on the long term management of these routes.
Your views on this proposal are welcome. If you have any comments that you would like the Council to take into consideration, I would be grateful if you could respond in writing to [email protected] or the address below by 22nd March 2013. Following this consultation a report will be considered by the Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, who will make the formal decision on how to proceed with this proposal based on the evidence presented.
Many Thanks
Countryside Access Team
Countryside Service
Hampshire County Council
Castle Avenue
Winchester
Hampshire
SO23 8UL
There are a number of ukgser off road bikers who use the lanes around the Bentworth area in Hampshire. There are plans to run an experimental traffic regulation order (ETRO) on these lanes at the request of land owners which will effectively cull a huge chunk of the around basingstoke off-road circular route. The TRF are fighting this as it will lead to further restrictions if it is granted.
I would urge anyone who has ever ridden these lanes or are likely to want to in the future send a letter of objection to Hampshire County Council, although please don't mention the TRF otherwise they will get lumped together and not counted as individual objections. Remember - you have paid your road tax, so why should you be taxed further to ride
<SNIP - Letter from Hants CC>:
You may be aware that Hampshire County Council has been working in conjunction with user groups and local residents to try to resolve the issues that have arisen on the Byways Open to All Traffic (BOATs) that are marked on the attached plan. A number of these routes have been under temporary closure owing to the significant surface damage that had occurred. Repairs are planned for the coming months and the routes will remain closed whilst the surface repairs settle in. They will then be reopened gradually to one type of use at a time - first to walkers, then cyclists, then horses and finally vehicles - to allow the impact of this increasing use to be monitored.
In addition to the above staged re-opening of the route following repairs, the Council proposes to implement an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO), the effect of which will be to prohibit use of the route by all motorised vehicles, except for those who have applied for and been issued with a permit by the Council. The ETRO will be enforced by use of gates fitted with combination locks, the code for which will be given to permit holders only. Permit holders will be required to agree to a code of good conduct and any contravention of this will result in the permit being withdrawn and the lock codes changed. In this way the irresponsible and illegal use that has caused so much damage to these routes will be prevented, without removing access for responsible motorised users.
The ETRO will allow us to test the effectiveness of the permit scheme and to make any adjustments that may become necessary once the scheme is operational. It will remain in force for up to 18 months and will provide evidence to inform any proposal that may be put forward to make the ETRO permanent.
It is the Council's policy to adopt the least restrictive solution that will be effective in addressing problems on a BOAT. Further details regarding the use of motorised vehicles in the countryside can be found on the HCC website here http://www3.hants.gov.uk/row/vehicles-row.htm. The approach outlined above will allow us to test the effect of this restriction and will provide evidence on the impact of different types of use. This will in turn inform future decisions on the long term management of these routes.
Your views on this proposal are welcome. If you have any comments that you would like the Council to take into consideration, I would be grateful if you could respond in writing to [email protected] or the address below by 22nd March 2013. Following this consultation a report will be considered by the Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, who will make the formal decision on how to proceed with this proposal based on the evidence presented.
Many Thanks
Countryside Access Team
Countryside Service
Hampshire County Council
Castle Avenue
Winchester
Hampshire
SO23 8UL
