Valerie Elliott, Countryside Editor
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Winchester Many parts of the countryside are to be protected from the noisy invasion of motorcycles, 4x4s and quad bikes after a victory by green campaigners in the Court of Appeal.
In a test case, three senior judges backed an application yesterday by Winchester College to prevent ancient rights of way at Twyford Common, Hampshire, becoming open to all traffic.
The ruling - based on a technicality - may also safeguard the Yorkshire Dales, Exmoor, the Quantock Hills and many other places in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The case, which has cost Hampshire County Council an estimated £70,000, has been watched closely by councils and landowners who have been inundated with applications from off-road sporting organisations to claim historic rights of way for vehicles on lanes intended for walkers, riders and carts.
The organisations were allowed to do so under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.
This legislation was intended by Parliament to halt the damage and destruction to green lanes in the countryside from motor propelled vehicles.
As a compromise to off-roaders, the Government agreed that claims could be made for rights of access if applications were made before January 20, 2005, and included historic proof of vehicular use of the path and a map showing the precise routes.
Yesterday's case centred on the technical detail of what qualified an application under the Act.
Winchester College and a neighbouring landowner, Humphrey Feeds, were seeking to overturn an earlier High Court ruling allowing traffic to use the lanes.
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There is no such thing as a green lane!
Mike, Lancaster, UK
So why doesn't the government sponsor what the USA Govt. did 40 years ago; set aside LARGE tracts of suitable land only for 4x4 s and off-road motorcycles? They can pay a nominal fee for the upkeep, which will not be a lot as the vehicles will keep the tracks open.
B J Deller, Marbella, Spain
Pity the poor, oppressed 4x4 driver. Sarcasm aside, green lanes should only be for horse and human powered travel. Keep these areas of outstanding natural beauty. If disabled permit holders can prove that they don't cause damage and can suggest ways of ensuring provision isn't abused, fair enough.
Diana, derby,
There is no balance in this ruling which promotes the views of a minority and ignores off road motor sports, plus a much greater (and quieter) number who enjoy 'green laning' . Suggest some sort of redress by banning messy, non road tax paying horse riders from the road?
Steve Crowhurst, Hemel Hempstead,
Sofa moaners; don't let the government bring in more 'bans'.
Using a motorcycle to travel offroad to appreciate the countryside is perhaps one of the most rewarding and enlightening pursuits available to us all, and the damage is hugely exaggerated.
This 'holier than thou' attitude stinks.
Rob, Cardiff,
It's an offroad bike, it's ment to be riden "off road"!!!
Andrew T, England, UK,
Off road vehicles are a nuisance and should be banned from the countryside unless used by farmers as part of there work and those who are disabled.Remote control planes are not churning up ancient trackways, there is no comparison.
Senua, Cardiff,
My wife is disabled we use these lanes to gain access to the countryside and fells, we were both keen walkers before my wife became ill, we will be excluded from the fells if this carries on. Please think about disabled access.
We respect the lanes don't cause damage, alwaysgive way to other users
G Jackson, Kendal, Cumbria
4X4's, Quad Bikes and Motorcycles have made areas of mountainside above my home impassable to foot, cycle or horse. Multiple numbers of 4X4's will pass over ancient tracks turning them from a walkable route into somehting which is impossible to traverse. Bikes are no better.
MalcolmX, Machynlleth, POWYS
There are millions of acres of land open to the public and only a few thousand open to offroad vehicles.
So why the constant oppression towards people pursuing something they enjoy?
I hate the sound of remote control planes when I'm out enjoying a summers day. I dont try and ban them though!
Phill, The Wirral, England