Save the our lanes

Another year has gone by and the bedfordshire byways are all on tro's because of damage. They were closed last year so think it is just a way of keeping us off them. I want to make a stand to open them and keep greenlanes open for us and our children. If necessary a big demonstration to bedford council and let the government know how passionate we are about our hobby. Its all an excuse. Walkers have plenty of places to go as do horse riders. Im looking for people who are willing to make a stand and keep going until we get some results. This is our country and rights of way should be kept open before its to late. Do you just want p&plays left. lets see if you believe in what you enjoy. Im starting with bedford.

Im in,

Me and funky slipper were just talking about the santa pod lanes and the situation with them a few days ago.

What have you got in mind?

Im thinking of starting with usual emails but more on the lines of the future for our children and how it must cost more to close them than leave them permanently open.

Public Rights of Way contacts
www.bedford.gov.uk/environment_and_...hts_of_way/public_rights_of_way_contacts.aspx
Link to rights of way. Shows all tros and whos reponsible. Its francine rainbow and adrian fett. Please send as many emails as you can.

We're in. I've managed to get a friendly row office covering central beds but n beds is a problem... Santa pod lane now have up to 6 month tro's so in effect permanent just in case of damage. I'm going to meet my central beds chap and see what he has to say... Will keep you updated.

Put a post on earlier wanting people to get together to open the beds lanes, we must meet up to campaign to open them all, especially the pod lanes.
email [email protected]

gransden said:

Put a post on earlier wanting people to get together to open the beds lanes, we must meet up to campaign to open them all, especially the pod lanes.
email [email protected]

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Is this your email. We need the public on our side as well.

is there no way of organising some mantainance laning day so we can put something back into the lanes to show we do care about them and are not just after 'destroying' them?

has to be done in conjunction with highways agency - helf n safety n all that

I am in, let me know what's going on.

All this rain wont help to get lanes re opened.

GLASS do organise lane repair projects but like daft said, they have to be in conjunction with either the parish council or the local access forum committee members etc.

Is there a bedfordshire GLASS rep? maybe worth an email to say you would like to help. If they know they will get the support then there more inclined to have a go at sorting something out.

Is there a bedfordshire GLASS rep? maybe worth an email to say you would like to help. If they know they will get the support then there more inclined to have a go at sorting something out.[/QUOTE]

How could this be found out. To be honest i dont think any need repairing. They may be overgrown due to lack of use. Last year some were closed for no reason as the ground was like rock.

Farrar said:

Is there a bedfordshire GLASS rep? maybe worth an email to say you would like to help. If they know they will get the support then there more inclined to have a go at sorting something out.

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How could this be found out. To be honest i dont think any need repairing. They may be overgrown due to lack of use. Last year some were closed for no reason as the ground was like rock.[/QUOTE]

I will check GLASS for you tomorrow. If there isn't, maybe someone from the herts lanes could be the new rep

Any information on GLASS

Herts and Beds rep is Tony Ferrari, [email protected]

PM incoming

blue beasty said:

Herts and Beds rep is Tony Ferrari, [email protected]

PM incoming

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Thanks

Well done BB.

Sorry Farrar, got way laid with work

Spoke to tony today and hes going to see what he can do. He basically said that theres no money for repairs so there just extending the winter tros. Said money is been spent on bridleways and footpaths. Still think we need to stand up to the councils before our lanes are shut permanently.

Farrar said:

Spoke to tony today and hes going to see what he can do. He basically said that theres no money for repairs so there just extending the winter tros. Said money is been spent on bridleways and footpaths. Still think we need to stand up to the councils before our lanes are shut permanently.

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common occurrence unfortunately.

Its much more expensive to repair a damaged byway than a damaged footpath so councils will take the cheaper option. Unfortunately our hobby is not a major concern to most councils, housing, benefit etc gets the money before highways and ROW departments.

Thats also the other problem, some councils the Row with vehicular rights are split over 2 departments. UCR's are roads so fall into highways and byways are ROW so fall into the PROW/countryside access department.

If you can prove that the council are deliberately using TRO's to avoid repairing a PROW you can start legal proceedings against them. Im not sure how its done though; would need to talk further with GLASS etc. That is how they won the case against some lanes in wales recently like 'water break its neck" etc.