LARA/GREEN LANE ASSOCIATION Press Release: 5 July 2008

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PRESS RELEASE 06/08 – 10th July 2008

GLASS BACKS LARA IN ITS COURT ACTION AGAINST THE
YORKSHIRE DALES NATIONAL PARK
AND ASKS ALL 4x4 ENTHUSIASTS FOR THEIR HELP

The Motoring Organisations' Land Access and Recreation Association (LARA) is to take the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority to the High Court over the decision to put permanent prohibition of motors orders on eight unsealed roads. Lara’s own press release reads:

The use of 'recreational motor vehicles' on unsealed roads in the Yorkshire Dales National Park has been a contentious issue for many years. The Yorkshire Dales Trail Management Advisory Group (with members from a wide range of organisations) recommended a package of traffic control measures, each tailored to the specific situation of an initial set of eight routes:

Street Gate to Arncliffe Cote, Harber Scar Lane, Stockdale Lane, The Highway, Old Ing to Cam End via Long Gill, Gorbeck Road, Horton Road, Cam High Road

After two rounds of wide public consultation, but not based on evidence, the Access Committee of the National Park Authority resolved in April 2008 to ignore its own officers' original recommendations, and to put full-time, permanent motor traffic prohibition orders on all these routes. LARA took Counsel's advice on the validity of the National Park Authority's decision and, consequent upon this has made an application to the High Court to have the orders quashed on eight grounds, including straightforward non-compliance with statutory requirements.

LARA's Member Organisations are not opposed to necessary and proportionate traffic regulation on unsealed roads, and actively pursue this in many places across Britain. The decision of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority rides roughshod over a great deal of hard work in finding a workable solution that allows motorists to share what is only a very small proportion of the National Park's unsealed rights of way.

The issues identified by LARA's legal team are applicable to almost all traffic regulation order cases and clarifying and establishing the legal and procedural requirements that bind highway authorities will have a value way beyond the boundaries of the Yorkshire Dales.

Fighting this case is very expensive, win or lose. Everyone involved in motor sport and recreation is asked to visit LARA's website and make a donation to the Fighting Fund.

The reasons why GLASS is asking Members and any other Green Laners to support this court action is hopefully quite clear from the LARA press release. Whilst LARA does have a fighting fund, it is likely that it will not be enough to adequately fund this legal action, both GLASS and the TRF (Trail Riders Fellowship) has already pledged money from their individual funds but we still need more help.

Anyone who wants to help keep our dwindling resources of lanes open for the future can give their support NOW by making a donation. GLASS urges them to give directly to LARA http://www.laragb.org or they can donate via the GLASS TRO Fighting Fund donation page on the GLASS Shop:

http://www.shop.glass-uk.org/index.php? ... ductId=106

All money donated will go to fighting this case, In the event that we raise more money than needed, the surplus will be held separately and will only be used for future legal actions taken in the support of green laning.

Tony Ferrari, Press Officer
Green Lane Association

Notes to Editors

1. GLASS is the National User Group for those who enjoy using the Country’s network of ancient unsurfaced public roads and vehicular rights of way. We are a not for profit association dedicated to driving, protecting and researching our unique heritage of unsurfaced public highways. We promote legal and responsible driving as a way of enjoying the countryside and campaign against irresponsible use.

2. The Motoring Organisations' Land Access and Recreation Association (LARA) is an umbrella organisation that brings together the leading national associations in motor sport and recreation. LARA promotes and advocates responsible and sustainable motor sport and recreation, and offers advice and training on all aspects of land use.

3. Members of LARA are:

a. Association of Land Rover Clubs (ALRC)
b. Auto-Cycle Union (ACU)
c. Amateur Motor Cycle Association (AMCA)
d. British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF)
e. Green Lane Association (GLASS)
f. Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA)
g. Motor Sports Association (MSA)
h. Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF)

4. For further information on the Green Lane Association see http://www.glass-uk.org

5. For photographs please contact press@glass-uk.org
_________________
Tony Ferrari

GLASS Press Officer
Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire Rep.
Member of Hertfordshire LAF

[bobbinsjob]

Nice guy that Tony Ferrari, he runs Herts 4x4 Response aswell