BMF: Green lane traffic ban quashed as 'unbalanced and irrational' by the High Court

Monday, 22 June 2009 12:00 AM

The British Motorcyclists Federation have welcomed a High Court decision to quash Traffic Regulation Orders imposed by The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) on four 'green lanes' within Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Originally eight routes were the subject of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), but Judge John Behrens, QC, presiding in the Administrative Court in Leeds yesterday, held that the Park Authority's decision had been 'unbalanced and irrational' in not considering the necessary degree of balance between the movement of traffic and the exclusion of recreational motor vehicles from 'green lanes' i.e. unsurfaced roads, in the National Park.

The four routes affected by the judgment are:

Gorbeck Road and Stockdale Lane between Settle and Malhamdale
Street Gate near Malham Tarn to Arncliffe Cote
Harber Scar Lane between Horton-in-Ribblesdale and High Green Field

As members of Land Access and Recreation Association (LARA), the BMF and the Trail Riders Fellowship supported the motoring organisations challenging of the decision of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority to discard the recommendations of the independent Yorkshire Dales Green Lane Advisory Group and instead to impose full-time 'prohibition of driving' orders on these routes.

Speaking after the decision, Chris Hodder, the BMF's Government Relations Executive said "This is an important and welcome decision but it is not just about our ancient green lanes, the judgment is applicable to the making of traffic regulation orders on all roads and will be very useful in regulating specious traffic orders that attempt to limit access."

The case is estimated to have cost the YDNPA tens of thousands of pounds; money that need not have been expended had the YDNPA been more reasonable and listened to the representations of LARA and other users.

For full LARA release see attached or go to http://www.laragb.org/

Tags: