New police powers under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 have led to what's thought to be the first road traffic prosecution for misusing a public bridleway. Darren Cook and Robert Laybram of Derby were each fined £100 plus £50 by Chesterfield Magistrates Court after being caught driving their 4x4s down a public bridleway, part of the Coffin Road near Ashover in Derbyshire.
It's been a road traffic offence to drive a motor vehicle along a footpath or bridleway since 1988, but the CRoW act amended the 1988 Road Traffic Act, shifting the burden of proof from prosecution to defence. Briefly, before CRoW was passed the prosecutor had to prove that motorists didn't have a right to use the track. But now it's down to the defendants to prove that they did.
The two motorists concerned say that they've been picked upon and that they believed that the track had vehicular rights. It has at the ends, but a stretch in the middle is bridleway. As far as we can tell, the track in question is this one here - any locals care to confirm that?
Derbyshire County Councillor Brian Lucas said: "We are determined to stamp out the practice of drivers using public bridleways." Which will be good news for anyone who's ever encountered a wrecked bridleway thanks to 4x4 or trailbike use...
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his hollyness serge and madamme feefees dance grou
Posted: 30/07/03 09:02:10 10
looking at the map provided then they were in the wrong. just because their is road before and after a section does not allow it bridleway to be used for motor vechicles apart from for the farmers needs on whose land it go's across. if i feelits a bit harsh then yes but then they were unlucky and we do not know the level of damage that they had done before. Their are quiet a few green lanes and RUPPs around here, all of which can be used by 4x4s and motorbikes. all are unrideable on a push bike, most of them are undriveable in a 4x4. people enjoy there past times but must stick to the allocated areas for this to protect the areas involved.
