Proposal to close Essex ROW's

It has been brought to our attention that in Essex, the following has been proposed:

• To trial a blanket seasonal temporary closure order in Braintree District, closing all Byways in the District to motorised traffic (inclusive of four by four vehicles and motorcycles) from 1st October to 1st April.
• The closure order is to exclude private vehicular access, storage and /or field access.
• Pending outcome of the trial in Braintree District, such temporary closure to be extended to all Byways in the County and implemented on annual basis.
• The highway authority, the police and local residents to work in closer partnership to tackle anti-social behaviour on Byways.

So essentially they want to trial one area and then carry out a blanket ban across the county.

On closer inspection, it seems that Essex CC has appointed a new Cabinet Member for Highways and it is he who is driving these measures, and apparently we have been told that his first intention is to extinguish vehicular rights on ALL byways throughout England and Wales and is looking to support an MP who will pursue a private members bill in parliament.

Well well well, a member of GLEAM perhaps? Anyone care to name him or her. How someone can ever be allowed to hold a job like that is beyond us – it should not be allowed.

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