RIGHTS OF WAY
Green lane users’ volunteer labour keeps Essex right of way open for everyone apart from green laners
T
he public at large, especially those who obediently lap up the anti-vehicle media narrative peddled by hate groups, would never believe that 4x4 drivers provide voluntary labour to help local authorities by maintaining rights of way. If they did, they would find it even harder to comprehend that sometimes, the rights of way we maintain are ones we’re not even allowed to drive on. This was the case in Essex recently, when GLASS volunteers responded to requests from the local authority to help with maintenance on a number of lanes – mainly byways, but also one bridleway. ‘We had planned to carry on with our byway repair work during the summer, with the permission of Highways,’ says Essex rep Rob Tongue. ‘But it soon became clear they were growing back almost as fast as we had cut them. ‘We started again at the beginning of September. Highways requested we cut back a section of the byway Debden 37 so they could get in to
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repair it at the beginning of October. It had more or less grown in, due to it being closed awaiting repair. This took us three weekends of cutting back to clear.’ The following month, they were called into action again to cut back another byway, High Roding 57 / Dunmow 43. This too had grown in. And here’s a little illustration of the way in which local authorities can come to rely on green laners’ voluntary efforts, saving taxpayers’ money in the process. ‘We still had
a short section to finish,’ says Rob. ‘But the weather was against us – and a more important request for help was received from Highways.’ By now, the local authority had completed its repairs on the section of Debden 37 GLASS has cut back in September. So it was time to start work on another part of the same lane – as well as part of the adjoining bridleway. And here’s where the volunteers’ action becomes even more selfless. Highways asked us to cut back another section of the
byway, and part of a bridleway that joins it, so they could take the full closure to all users off over winter – except for axled vehicles.’ So, just to be clear, that’s 4x4 drivers freely giving up their time and effort for the benefit of everyone apart from 4x4 drivers. The local authority’s plan is that the lane will be fully closed to all users once again come spring, when final repairs will be carried out on the last section. After these are complete, the full length of the lane will at last be reopened to all users. ‘So most of November’s work was taken up on both the byway and bridleway,’ reflects Rob. ‘The latter has been unusable for many years and we have been inundated with thanks from many of the horse riders in the area.’ Next time you see a report on TV or the papers about 4x4 drivers wrecking the countryside, ask yourself why they chose not to tell you this story instead.
4x4 16/01/2023 11:58
