Ryder said:
Why resurface it if it is not to be used? Who is the bloke to write to... perhaps we should all write individual letters of complaint!
Click to expand...

This is last year's reply. It's TRO'd again citing the same reason, lane might be damaged. Cobblers.


"Subject: Forty Foot Lane byway

Dear Sirs

We have received many complaints and enquiries about the continued closure of part of the Forty Foot Lane byway in Suoldrop and Wymington.

Over recent years Bedfordshire County Council (and since April 2009 Bedford Borough Council) has spent many thousands of pounds on remedial and improvement works to the surface of the 50 or so kilometres of green lanes in the Bedford Borough area. This has been complimented by a seasonal closure regime to protect the lanes throughout the autumn and winter months.

This year we have opened all of our green lanes on time with the exception of Sandy Lane (Swineshead and Dean), Donkey Lane (Keysoe) and part of Forty Foot Lane. Extensive works have been carried out on Donkey Lane and Sandye Lane and these will be re-opening in a few weeks when those works have been allowed to settle down.

Forty Foot Lane poses different problems. It is c.4km long, and can only be closed off in controllable sections. The lane is divided into three sections which may be closed to certain classes of traffic if the conditions warrant it. The first section runs from the A6 at the lane's eastern end to Blackmere Farm. The second runs from Blackmere Farm past Gt Hayes Wood to Santa Pod raceway; the last section is between Santa Pod and Dungee Corner.

Last year the section by the A6 was closed because widening work was being carried out on the A6 for access to the bio-mass plant. This year, although parts of the second section are in very good condition following works last year and the winter closure, the section beyond the railway up to Santa Pod is in a bad state.. The emergency closure was an administrative error and should have been a straight forward closure.

As I am sure you are all aware, public sector finances are being squeezed across the board. This department's capital budget has been cut from £355,000 last year to £120,000 this year with no allocation at all planned for subsequent years. As things stand, we do not have the funds necessary for the level of remedial works necessary to open this section. If, through underspends elsewhere in the budget during the financial year, funds were to become available then we would look to carry out the work needed and open this section of the lane.

I have engaged the Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charities (BRCC) to produce a comprehensive management plan for all our green lanes covering vehicular and non-vehicular usage, conservation, bio-diversity and landscape heritage issues. I am hoping for these plans to be delivered in July 2010. It will be these plans, once adopted by the Council, which will form the basis of the Council's policy towards these byways going forward. Until that work is complete, we won't be looking to any medium or long term arrangements or changes to the management regime.

I would say by way of summary that over the years this department, when it was part of Bedfordshire County Council and since it has become part of the Bedford Borough Council unitary authority, has consistently championed the rights of all legitimate users of the area's byways, often against concerted political and local pressure to close them to vehicles altogether. We remain committed to managing the lanes in a balanced way having regard to all legitimate interests and to the cost-effective use of scarce public funds."

Regards

Martyn Brawn
Outdoor Access & Rights of Way Manager
Bedford Borough Council
Borough Hall
Cauldwell Street
Bedford
MK42 9AP
Tel: 01234 228983
fax: 01234 228315

martyn.brawn@bedford.gov.uk
 
I've written to him again this morning, pointing out BCC's illegal use of TRO to permanently close 40ft. Good idea if a few more bombard him with emails of complaint.
 
This is the TRO

"ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14
BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL
(KNOTTING AND SOULDROP: PART OF BYWAY OPEN TO ALL TRAFFIC NO 10 AND
WYMINGTON: BYWAY OPEN TO ALL TRAFFIC NO 8 (FORTY FOOT LANE)
(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC) ORDER 2011
Notice is hereby given that the Bedford Borough Council have made an Order the effect of which will be
to prohibit any person driving any mechanically propelled vehicle or any horse drawn vehicle along Forty
Foot Lane: Part of Souldrop: BOAT NO 10 and Wymington: BOAT NO 8 which extends from Plain Pond
at Ordnance Survey Grid Reference (OS GR) SP 9613 6117 (Map point A) for approximately 2240
metres to its junction with Public Footpath No 4 Knotting and Souldrop at (OS GR) SP 9783 6255 (Map
point B).
This closure is required to prevent serious damage to the lanes which would be likely if they
were used by vehicles during the present conditions. The closure is expected to continue to take
place from 1 May 2011 for up to six months.
The above lanes will remain open to pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists.
The Order will come into operation on 1 May 2011 for a period not exceeding six months.
For further information please contact Adrian Fett, Tel: 01234 228335
Dated 21 April 2011
Borough Hall Stewart Briggs
Cauldwell Street Executive Director for Environment
Bedford MK42 9AP and Sustainable Communities"



I've highlighted their reasons. Please tell me what sort of vehicle apart from a tractor with a plough could damage any lane at present?
 
sorry got me wires crossed and thought we were talking about harlington! T'was that one that I meant about the resurfacing... no reason for it to be closed now... was as right as rain when spydie and I drove it at the end of the season last year!
 
Ryder,

On the BCC website Harlington is being shown as open from 1st May. The TRO posted on the gate is last year's expired one. Probably my favourite farmer being an arsehole.

I've just spoken to the head of BCC ROW team and Harlington lane should have been opened on 1st, he's sorting it.
 
Last edited:
Farrar said:
Does anyone know if all the lanes at ashwell are all open.and what are the lanes like near silverstone
Click to expand...
Farrar.. check out the definitive map at the council. We've not done Ashwell since the beginning of the season and though many are open all year round over there it is by no means definite. And we all know about the famous ASHWELL!:eek:
 
So who's up for Santa Pod/Grafham Water on Sunday?
Click to expand...

I would but broke my front prop so currently got a rear wheel drive disco till I can get to a scrappy!! Would go as a passenger if Arlesey is on anyones way....
 
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