Ramsden Road Restrictions proposed in the face of relentless vandalism

Network of lanes around Ramsden Road spared the axe – but new Public Spaces Protection Order will restrict access in last stand against relentless vandalism by criminal motor vehicle users

KIRKLEES COUNCIL intends to implement a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) on a number of green lanes in the Holme Valley area near Holmfi rth. The plans, which are being drawn up in consultation with the Green Lane Association, are a response to the actions of vandals whose persistent abuse of these rights of way, and the land adjoining them, had over a long period of time reached what GLASS’ West Yorkshire rep Alex Davidson describes as ‘epidemic proportions.’

The damage, caused by 4x4s and motorbikes being driven illegally, has been highlighted in these pages before. The group of lanes centres around Ramsden Road and Kiln Bent Road, south of Holmbridge; the latter in particular is a Freelander-friendly right of way which could even be driven with a little care in an everyday car, but both have become magnets for hooligans who trespass into the adjacent countryside with no concern for the amount of damage they cause to the ground.

Despite the efforts of Friends of Ramsden Road, an organisation representing all user groups as well as landowners and local residents, Kirklees Council has been coming under increasing pressure to close these lanes altogether. Showing commendable understanding of the situation, however, the authority did not want to penalise responsible motor vehicle users, and the local businesses their trade helps support, and has instead come up with the PSPO proposal as an alternative.

Under the proposal, which at the time of writing was still to be implemented, a PSPO would be created for a duration of three years (the maximum allowed by law), to be reviewed every six months. It is likely that this will include the following restrictions: • A limit of 8 vehicles per day • Maximum group size of 4 vehicles • No vehicles from November to March inclusive • No driving at night

Access to these lanes will be by permit, with an application scheme to be managed by the local authority – which will also remain committed to maintaining progress on repairs to the lane and working closely with Friends of Ramsden Road. Through his constant contact with Kirklees Council, Alex is able to report that it has recently appointed a new rights of way project offi cer – who has been tasked with Ramsden Road as his highest priority.

The initial plans attracted some controversy, as they would temporarily restrict access only to members of GLASS itself and other organisations identifi ed as being appropriately responsible. Although this was at the suggestion of the local authority, it provoked no shortage of angry comments and some extraordinarily wild accusations on social media. Happily, since then Kirklees Council has reversed this decision, meaning the permit scheme will be open to all.

‘It was considered that when a council approaches us with a proposal to manage a situation like this while retaining access rights for 4x4s, it is prudent to engage with them and work to retain access in the long term,’ explains Alex. ‘It was made clear to me that Kirklees did not want to close these routes to motorised vehicles but, in view of the situation, there was signifi cant pressure for a complete ban. This arrangement was agreed by GLASS as an alternative to closure.’

As these developments illustrate, criminal use by 4x4s, bikes and ATVs can and does cause lanes to be closed. Even local authorities which support all groups’ freedoms on right of way can end up turning against motor vehicle users when faced with relentless vandalism and the distress it causes to local residents and other visitors to the countryside. Most authorities do understand the difference between legal users and criminals who turn up at night in stolen vehicles to trash the landscape (an example of the damage is visible in our photo, taken midway up Ramsden Road) but there’s only so far that this can stretch when the latter are so determined – and when so little is done in any other way to stop them.

It’s also clear from this sorry saga that although green lane users are a minority under immense pressure, political in-fi ghting remains as big an issue as ever. Unity and consensus are powerful weapons of defence in the face of non-stop attacks by anti-4x4 fanatics – but, sadly, they remain too much to ask for.

Most importantly, however, what the PSPO plan demonstrates is that by engaging with local authorities to fi nd constructive solutions, green lane users still can rescue cherished rights of way from blanket closures. It might not always be possible, as the disgraceful behaviour of at least one national park authority has made clear, but dialogue remains our best hope. Kiln Bent and Ramsden remain alive for all to savour because the Green Lane Association is constantly working in the background, throughout the country, to help local authorities and other users understand that responsible 4x4 drivers are not the problem but a large part of the solution.