The NERC bill passing through parliament at present contains sections that for the first time in centuries of English and Welsh law set out to remove public rights of way; additionally the bill if passed will undermine the long held legal principle "once a road, always a road". This law has been sold to both the public and government as being a tool to remove nuisance, illegal off-roaders from the countryside This it will not achieve, instead it will impact on just about everyone that enjoys the countryside for recreation, or lives in the country.
The impact on the legitimate green laner is to take away half of the routes they have used peacefully for decades, concentrating use on what BOATs are left, inevitably leading to further issues.
The impact on the hooligan is ... zero - they will continue to drive 4x4s up bridleways and motorbikes across open moor. "What mate, more illegal now than it woz before? Yeah right, do I look bovvered?!?"
I for one will not be voting for Blairs bullyboys on Thursday. :x :x :x
