COUNCIL TO PUT BRAKES ON ‘GREEN LANERS’
CRACKDOWN ON 4X4 ROGUES USING COUNTRYSIDE AS RACETRACK
KIRKLEES Council is to crack down on anti-social behaviour on rural roads popular with offroad “green laners”.
The authority intends to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) at Yateholme in Holmbridge near Holmfirth, which would create a restricted area for four-wheeled vehicles.
Any unauthorised drivers could face a fine of up to £1,000.
There have been calls for action to restrict access to some rural tracks, bridleways and footpaths after complaints that they have become a magnet for offroaders driving 4x4s, quad bikes and trail bikes.
The pastime, in which green laners use dirt tracks, narrow lanes and winding roads categorised as byways open to all traffic, or BOATs (byways open to all traffic), is legal and not prohibited by law.
However, farmers have told of being blockaded on their own land, of being frightened to walk or ride horses on surrounding lanes and of pregnant livestock being so terrified by speeding vehicles that they have lost their young. Kirklees Council has advertised its PSPO as part of its powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. It will prohibit unlicensed fourwheeled vehicles. Motorcycles are not affected.
The PSPO will affect:
Part of Brownhill Lane at the access to the car park at Ramsden Reservoir
Ramsden Road - 140m northwest of the junction with White Gate Road
Rake Head Road, Holme Moss - 15m east of the junction with the A6024 Woodhead Road
Old Gate, Holme Moss - 13m north-east of the junction with the A6024 Woodhead Road
At Holmbridge locals can regularly look across to Holme Moss and spot vehicles speeding along tracks that form part of the Peak Park.
It’s a draw for “night laners” who can arrive anytime between 11pm and 2am, their vehicles equipped with “masses” of LED lights that can illuminate the entire hillside.
Resident Andy Wilson said:
“That it’s become a magnet is an understatement. The sheer volume is overwhelming. These roads are not designed for it. It needs closing with just access for those that need it because it’s the worst it has ever been.”
Local councillor Donald Firth has previously urged green laners to keep away from Kirklees and to “leave our roads to our local people and farmers”.
An official from the Green Lane Association (GLASS) said it had been working with local groups to minimise illegal activity and had recently engaged with the council to negotiate a Public Space Protection Order for some routes that would restrict access to “responsible users” only.
That it’s become a
magnet is an understatement. The sheer volume is overwhelming
■
Andy Wilson