Co-operation points to the right track for vehicle users
Submitted: 12/05/2003 13:27:16
Most vehicular tracks are fully sustainable like this one in West Surrey
A potential problem at Ranmore Common is being resolved thanks to a partnership approach between the National Trust, local user groups and Surrey Police.
Surface damage has been caused to ‘permissive' bridle tracks which run parallel to the main road across the Common due to inappropriate use by vehicles straying from legal tracks. After some months of this the surface of the bridleway was becoming rutted and uneven, so the agencies got together to try and find a way to monitor use of the tracks and stop this happening.
Now representatives of the organisations which make up the ‘Surrey Byways User Group' (SBUG) are regularly out on the common, and recently a young lad was apprehended driving a lightweight four-wheel drive vehicle along the track - which carries no rights at all for vehicles.
He admitted that he had no idea of the correct ‘Rights of Way' that are open to vehicles, and a stiff warning was administered to him by police that regular trespassers could be charged with a number of offences and could also be fined or have their vehicle confiscated. He was also invited to join one or more of the SBUG organisations in order to learn his obligations.
Surrey Police’s Borough Inspector for the Mole Valley Colin Green said:
“This is a clear example of how a partnership approach can have very positive results. Ultimately, it is in our power to have a vehicle confiscated, and we would not hesitate to do that if the individual circumstances warranted such action. However, this example of deterrence shows that we can discharge our duty of care to the public without excessive cost by working with the organisations which exist specifically to promote responsible activities.”
Mick Dyer from the All Wheel Drive Club said:
“This isn’t about stopping people from using the common, it is about educating them to use it without causing damage, and also to try and get the message across about which tracks drivers are legally allowed to use. Vehicles whether they are cars or motorbikes are restricted to ‘Byways’, ‘Roads Used as Public Paths (commonly called RUPPS) or Unclassified County Roads. These are all roads in just the same way as the A3 or the M25, which a lot of people don’t realise, and all motor vehicles must be fully street legal, that is taxed, insured and with a current MOT.
“There are plenty of places in the area where people can have can enjoy driving their all wheel or 4 wheel vehicles without having to resort to damaging illegal tracks, and if anyone wants to contact me I can tell them where they are.”
Surrey Byway User Group consists of (in alphabetical order)
All Wheel Drive Club - Mick Dyer - 01276-473907
British Driving Society - Gail Brownrigg – 01306 627609
The Green Lane Association - Nick Monk - 07976 574029 - or Gillian Nelson - 07831 520 932
Trail Riders Fellowship - Steve Sharp - www.surreytrf.org.uk/ or steve.sharp8@btopenworld.com or 07710012712
For further information please contact the Divisional Press and Publicity Officer for East Surrey
E-mail: 8688@surrey.pnn.police.uk
Vehicular use of legal routes need cause no conflict with any other users
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