Scramblers & Quad Bikes

They are certainly "legal" in some areas. For example, the Quantock Hills
in Somerset allow them. All the ancient cattle droves over the hills are
open for public access.

Drives me mad though and the rutting/erosion caused by them is atrocious.

PU

AC said:

Can someone tell me if it illegal for these to be on the mountains? .
My local hill - Y Domen Fawr - is being ruined by the use of these
and 4 wheel drive vehicles and I was moaning to someone the other
day and they said public access is public access (whatever that
means?)

He is a biker by the way.

Rights of way rules generally apply;
If there are vehicular rights over a route, then they are legal on that
route. But, legal means they must be licensed, carry numberplates, VED, MOT,
insurance, road-legal silencers, etc.
Those wanting vehicular access attempt to show that a particular route
supported traffic in the past (eg. horse drawn cart in 19th century), and
thus claim those rights for vehicles now. The government has said it will
close this mechanism to designate routes for vehicles.
Rights of way come in different types;
foot only,
foot, horse and cycle,
foot, horse, cycle and motorised vehicles.
You can check rights of way on the county council definitive maps.

If the landowner permits vehicles on his land, then that's the landowner's
perogative (subject to a few planning constraints and local bylaws).

If you want to complain, try the local authority and the local police; they
should deal with the problem if they have any time left after dealing with
all their other priorities.

The "right to roam / public access" legislation coming into force in some
bits of England and Wales is a right on foot only.
Scottish laws are different, but the new Scottish access laws are for foot
only.

- Nigel
--
NC - Webmaster for http://www.2mm.org.uk/
Replies to newsgroup postings to the newsgroup please.

"NC" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

AC said:

Can someone tell me if it illegal for these to be on the mountains? .
My local hill - Y Domen Fawr - is being ruined by the use of these
and 4 wheel drive vehicles and I was moaning to someone the other
day and they said public access is public access (whatever that
means?)

He is a biker by the way.

Rights of way rules generally apply;
If there are vehicular rights over a route, then they are legal on that
route. But, legal means they must be licensed, carry numberplates, VED,

MOT,

Quoted message said:

insurance, road-legal silencers, etc.
Those wanting vehicular access attempt to show that a particular route
supported traffic in the past (eg. horse drawn cart in 19th century), and
thus claim those rights for vehicles now. The government has said it will
close this mechanism to designate routes for vehicles.
Rights of way come in different types;
foot only,
foot, horse and cycle,
foot, horse, cycle and motorised vehicles.
You can check rights of way on the county council definitive maps.

If the landowner permits vehicles on his land, then that's the landowner's
perogative (subject to a few planning constraints and local bylaws).

If you want to complain, try the local authority and the local police;

they

Quoted message said:

should deal with the problem if they have any time left after dealing with
all their other priorities.

The "right to roam / public access" legislation coming into force in some
bits of England and Wales is a right on foot only.
Scottish laws are different, but the new Scottish access laws are for foot
only.

well - horse, cycle and boat too!

druidh

In article <[email hidden]>, AC
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Can someone tell me if it illegal for these to be on the mountains? . My
local hill - Y Domen Fawr - is being ruined by the use of these and 4 wheel
drive vehicles and I was moaning to someone the other day and they said
public access is public access (whatever that means?)

He is a biker by the way.

If you go to Fan-y-Big or Cribyn via the "Roman Road" AKA the Gap Road,
you will find that it is "Open" now - it is closed to vehicular traffic
at certain times of the year.

4x4 vehicles use it and churn it up to an absolute quagmire in one place
near Neuadd Reservoir.
--
Bill Grey
http://www.billboy.co.uk

AC said:

Can someone tell me if it illegal for these to be on the mountains?

Be aware that most, if not all, hill farmers use quad bikes on the
hills and it is of course completely legitimate. The other weekend I
was passed by 3 gamekeepers on quad bikes on part of the Nidderdale
way. I also know a shepherd who runs sheep on the Moelwyns, Moel Hebog
and Cnict who regularly used to use his enduro bike in the course of
his work - as well as a quad bike.

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but the landowner can also give
permission to people to use his land. My shepherd friend regularly
hosted trails events on his land - which really used to make me angry
as they used a patch of ancient oak woodland. So folk could be tearing
up the moors entirely legitimately, if they've the landowners
permission. Dosn't give them the right to rip up footpaths or
bridleways tho....

Cheers 'n' Beers