Compare the original letter with Government response

A Government spokesman has issued an official response to the growing outrage at Environment Minister Michael Meacher’s anti-bike letter to Chief Constables.

It appears to claim we have nothing to worry about, we’ve all just misunderstood the contents of the letter. Let’s hope Chief Constables have, too.

It says there was never any intention of banning motorcyclists from the countryside. Nobody ever said there was. But we do believe there was serious consideration to turning bikes away from National Parks. Read the original letter for yourself and draw your own conclusions.

Again, the statement refers to newspaper articles which ” highlighted the problem ” . But senior representatives of the Association of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and of the National Parks AND the police, say there is no major problem with motorcyclists, certainly no more than with car drivers.

And it’s the instant and easy discrimination against one group (motorcyclists) in Mr Meacher’s letter which, most worrying, remains unexplained and essentially unaddressed by the statement.

But don’t take our word for it. Read for yourself Mr Meacher’s letter, followed by the new statement from his department. Then have your say on our Talk News boards (see link right)

Mr Meacher’s letter:

” I am writing to you and to other Chief Police Officers with responsibility for all or parts of a National Park or Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB), to seek your help in dealing with the growing problem of motorcycling on roads in these areas.

The number of motorcyclists appears to be increasing and they are using ever more powerful machines at greater speeds. Road safety is the responsibility of the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, but this Department is concerned about rural issues generally, and, in this case, about the impact not only on people living along the routes but also on visitors. National Parks and AONB’s have been designated because of their importance for the nation as a whole and the activities of irresponsible motorcyclists can interfere with people’s enjoyment of their beauty and other special qualities.

While I recognise that motorcyclists cause problems elsewhere too, I am especially concerned about the designated areas because of their national importance and because their special qualities can make them particularly attractive to motorcyclists. I have looked at whether any action specific to National Parks and AONB’s might be taken.

Under s.22 of the 1984 Road Traffic Regulation Act (as amended by s.66 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000), local authorities can regulate traffic by means of traffic regulation orders in special areas of the countryside. Such an order could be used to prevent the use of roads by certain types of vehicle where they cause damage or danger. However, I am advised that local authorities would need to justify their proposals and it is highly improbable that they could defend a ban on all motorcycles on a particular road.

It therefore falls to you to continue to deal with the problems through enforcement of the legislation on speeding and dangerous driving, and I am writing to urge you to do so. I know that effective action has already been taken by some police forces and hope that the national roll-out of the new scheme for funding speed cameras in high-risk areas will help. National Park Authorities are those local authorities with responsibility for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty may be able to advise on the worst trouble-spots.

I am copying this letter to David Jamieson, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Transport, and to Sue Essex, Environment Minister at the National Assembly for Wales, who has responsibility for National Parks and AONB’s in Wales. Copies also go to Martin Fitton, Chief Executive of the Association of National Park Authorities and Mike Taylor, Secretary of the Association of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Statement released on Monday, February 18, 2002, by Gillian Lewisohn, Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

” You will be pleased to know that Michael Meacher’s letter to Police Chief Officers has been misunderstood. There is no intention whatsoever of banning motorcyclists from the countryside and the police have not been asked to harass motorcyclists.

” Michael Meacher’s letter was sent in response to specific complaints of some motorcyclists acting irresponsibly by using roads in National Parks or Areas of ” Outstanding Natural Beauty to drive their bikes at excessive speeds. Press articles last summer highlighted the problem.

” Michael Meacher is concerned to protect the special qualities of the National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty for the enjoyment of all. I am sure you will agree that it is wrong for a small minority of motorcyclists to spoil the safe and peaceful enjoyment of the countryside by driving illegally at high speeds. There is no suggestion that the majority of motorcyclists are other than law-abiding.

” The Government fully accepts that motorcyclists have a right to enjoy National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Indeed, Michael Meacher decided in 1997 to resist calls for a general ban on off-road vehicular use. Instead he issued guidance to local authorities on how such use might be best managed.

” Michael Meacher’s letter simply asked Police Chief Officers to deal with any problems through the enforcement of legislation on speeding and dangerous driving.

I am sorry that this has been interpreted as criticism of motorcyclists as a group. That was not the intention at all. ”