MOTORCYCLES ON BRIDLEWAYS

Early day motion 68, tabled 17 May 2005 by Lord Mann (Labour). Signed by 37 members.

That this House welcomes the Government's proposal to close the legal loophole whereby historical evidence of use by horse and cart, or dedication as a carriageway prior to the invention of the internal combustion engine, can give rise to a claim for a byway open to all traffic which, if successful, allows for use by modern recreational motor vehicles of green lanes and other unsurfaced routes in the countryside; notes that existing byways open to all traffic will still be subject to imappropriate and unsustainable use by recreational motor vehicles; is concerned that the most precious countryside in the National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Beauty and National Trails such as the Ridgeway continue to suffer appalling damage; and urges the Government to take action forthwith to protect these areas by reclassifying existing unsurfaced byways open to all traffic as restricted byways and by issuing better guidance on enforcement to enable the relevant authorities to take swift and effective action where recreational vehicles are being driven illegally.

Signatures by party: Labour 20, Conservative 10, Liberal Democrat 6, Plaid Cymru 1.