Tales from the national parks

Did anyone see the program on about the walkers wanting to get a byway in the peak district closed to motorised vehicles?

Unfortunately it showed just how big the 'Them and us' gap was. The walkers kicked up a big fuss about how ALL 4x4 drivers were rude and dangerous. The offroaders shown on the program were the only ones that were prepared to compromise in any way.

As a walker, cyclist and landy driver I found the rantings of the walkers cringeworthy. If I'd been walking with those portrayed in the documentry I would have been going red with embarassment. Unfortunately I think they just acted in the typical stereo type fasion.

I can see the walkers concerns over the width of the lane but I feel the way they went about it was wrong and the fact that nobody elses opinion bar there's counted.

There is a good thread going on one of the outdoor pursuit forums. It seems to be showing quite a balanced view and may be worthy of a look.

Talkback: Hopeless BBC Film Ducks Out Of 4x4 Issues - OUTDOORSmagic Forum Messages

It was a thought provoking documentary. I was interested to see some of the 4x4 community offering to provide vital road repairs to try and ease the situation. It is a shame that not everbody actually realises what the status of a BOAT is. Perhaps someone from here could post the definition (in law) so that we are all clear that it is a minor road.

I like ramblers and walkers and have great deal of time for them. I appreciate that some groups (albeit a very small percentage) also form 'working walkers' parties to repair their footpaths... I think we actually have more in common with regard to access and the countryside than we think.

Come to think of it... we should join forces! Many of these isolated communities are dependant on volunteer 4x4 driver when the winter weather hits, the Devon and Cornawall 4x4 group provide much needed 4x4 transport tfor the military during the Ten Tors challenge weekend (A walking event), which is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) event involving 2,500 youngsters every year.

Why not help ramblers with some path repair? We have the ability to access some areas where we could transport people and tools to sites?

Lovely bunch, the ramblers, I am sorry that marginal gorups have perceived friction but I am sure in most places people get along fine.

I watched this and couldn't help thinking, that the 4x4 owners were the only ones that showed any sort of compromise, the walkers were completely unwilling to accept this compromise or offer any solution other than "banning all 4x4's and limited usage for Motor bikes"

Having only been greenlaning over the last 2 years I am very new to this debate and i do feel as though it is an "Us and Them" argument when in actual fact the countryside is there for all to enjoy and people fought hard for many years for that right. Just because some people choose to enjoy it on foot and others by vehicle that should make no difference.


Its nice to read that thread you posted Ratty, and nice to see that in fact some walkers are in fact very balanced in their opinions and do not just simply follow the expected stereotypical walkers view of 4x4's.

I watched the programme with growing frustration.

Having lived on the edge of the Peaks for over 25 years I have been more fortunate than many, for whom access is not just 15 minutes away, I and have walked many of the public footpaths available. I also understand the annoyance and anger felt where unlawful use of the countryside, whether it's by 4x4 drivers, motorbike riders etc cause untold damage to the green environment.

I found the programme focused too much upon the more zealous members of the community, in particular those seeking closure of Cherpit? Lane. (Good TV perhaps). The Peak authority's job was impossible under the circumstances, but I thought they equipped themselves well.

I also agree that the other greenlane mentioned - Chapelgate, looks, from the pictures I have seen, worthy of a TRO whilst repairs are undertaken. Similarly, I am sure there are some greenlanes which warrant a seasonal restriction applied.

I have no time for 4x4 drivers who drive onto land where they are not permitted, whether that be private land, bridleway or the land adjoining a BOAT. I applaud the action taken by the authorities in prosecuting transgressors.

I wouldn't like to see blanket closures of greenlanes. As a hiker for more than 50 years I would like to think I can live alongside other reasonable users of the countryside. I also accept that a BOAT is an unsurfaced road which can be used by vehicular traffic.

I would like to see greater co-operation between the various user groups within the countryside - not the polarised vitriol often featured. Today it may be the 4x4 users who are seen as the spawn of Satan, but how long before we see campaigns restricting rock climbers because of the damage done to rock faces with pitons?

Tazz070299 said:

how long before we see campaigns restricting rock climbers because of the damage done to rock faces with pitons?

Click to expand...

Or Horses banned from bridleways cos they **** everywhere

Over the years I have seen many Green Lanes in various states of disrepair, ranging from the totally impassable on wheels, on horseback or on foot.

At that time ... over 30 years ago ... we would make a concerted effort to effect many minor repairs by loading up with hardcore donated from demolition sites and cutting back dangerous overgrowths.

Some of the walkers and ramblers actually joined in and enjoyed our working together, whilst others would follow us blaming us for causing the damage in the first place!

If there were a concerted effort by all of the BOAT users to try and ensure that the lanes are kept in reasonable order, it could only be of benefit to everyone.

I am sure that the local authorities would give their blessing and encouragement as it would save them having to do the works from their ever-decreasing budgets.

How does everyone else feel about restoring the relationships that used to exist?

OSD

Very interesting reading, I see though that some views are a little biased.

I know this can happen through misinformation, I'll make a point of mentioning the poster who said that the lanes were for travel before the internal combustion engines where invented, and this was the problem, the vehicles cut-up the lane to much.

The roads from town to town were no better before mechanised transport. Anyone who says different is not willing to look at history for information; the Turnpike system was developed to help maintain the roads within the parish bounds.

Turnpike trust - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://www.geog.port.ac.uk/webmap/hantsmap/hantsmap/turnpike.htm

I know it's Wiki, but the history is sound, not all roads from the Roman occupation lasted upto the invention of the Tarmacadam roadway.

Thanks for that Dippypud, very interesting, especially the turnpike history. Thank you