Government to continue to allow 'green lane' use by motor vehicles

Published: 30/11/2023

The long-awaited Government response to the Landscape's Review has now been published, reports LARA (the Motoring Organisations’ Land Access and Recreation Association).

It follows the Government's April 2022 consultation about what its response to the Review should be. The Landscapes Review, a report  about the future of Britain’s National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and  commissioned as part of the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, issued its findings in 2019. 

LARA - of which the FBHVC is a member - is an umbrella organisation and forum that brings together the leading national associations in motor sport and recreation. LARA promotes and advocates responsible and sustainable motor sport and recreation, and offers advice and training on all aspects of land use.

The FBHVC responded to the consultation; our document is here

In the Landscape Review, on the question of the use of motor vehicles on green roads the response by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) reads:

"The consultation shows many people feel strongly about protecting green lanes, but it did not identify clear support for removing vehicular rights. Therefore, we will not proceed with this proposal.

"We believe that the current Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process is legally robust enough to protect green lanes with carefully targeted local action to protect sensitive areas, while allowing vehicle users to responsibly enjoy the countryside."

LARA says that this means that the threat of blanket legislation to curtail motor vehicle use has receded, for the remaining term of this particular government at least.

"It may therefore offer an opportunity to continue to work with government to create an constructive and inclusive framework for managing and improving green roads, although of late Defra's commitment to this objective appears to have been waning."

"In the longer term, we need to remain vigilant."