by Rosemary Horsey, Vice President CPRE Hampshire

Driving 4x4s and riding motorbikes off roads is becoming increasingly popular. The manufacturers of 4x4s run offroading courses, glossy magazines are devoted to the subject and offroading holidays in this country are offered by continental travel agents. There are purpose-built courses where this activity can be pursued harmlessly, but more and more of our public rights of way are being designated Byways Open to All Traffic (BOAT) following applications to Hampshire County Council by the offroading lobby.

When a track becomes a BOAT, walkers and riders, possibly with children and dogs, can be intimidated by vehicles and motorbikes; surfaces can be damaged so as to become difficult or impossible to negotiate on foot or horseback; wildlife can be disturbed and habitats destroyed; and farm security is threatened as vehicular access makes theft, arson, vandalism and poaching more likely. The very opposite of the tranquil countryside for which CPRE Hampshire campaigns!

As a result of the 1981 Wildlife & Countryside Act a large number of public rights of way in Hampshire have been designated as BOATS over recent years, so opening them up for recreational use by motorised vehicles. This has been done where it was shown that they were probably public carriageways for horse-drawn vehicles in the distant past. These re-classification have resulted in a loss of tranquillity and deeply rutted surfaces as well as intimidation and possible danger to walkers and riders. In addition, wildlife is reduced by disturbance and loss of habitat, and there are implications for farm security as vehicular access makes rural crime more likely. CPRE Hampshire has been working to protect the county’s green lanes from the problems caused by BOATS.

However, at last Government seems to be aware of the problem. In December 2003, Alun Michael, Minister for Rural Affairs, issued a consultation document containing proposals for legislation which would eventually put paid to future BOAT proposals and in January John Mann tabled an Early Day Motion asking Government to address the problem of existing BOATs as well. We are asking Hampshire MPs to support these moves and we are hopeful that change may be on the way.

If you should have any worries about the possible re-designation of a Hampshire public right of way, then contact CPRE Hampshire and we would be pleased to discuss how best to tackle the problem.

November 2004