Without wanting to incite panic,
it is now officially time to panic!

Cyclists are being urged to contact their local MPs to protest at the newly issued
Countryside and Rights of Way Bill. With it’s publication, Central Government have
effectively killed off any chance of improvements to rights of way.



Michael Meacher describes the Bill as "the most radical improvement tp rights
of way for many years", but many access users wonder if he understands the implications
of his own legislation. The ‘radical improvements’ that he is proposing actually
undermine the very foundation of the public’s rights.



Mountain bikers, horse riders, carriage drivers, motorised users and walkers are
horrified that their views have been completely ignored in order to pacify landowners
for the open access legislation.



There is nothing within the legislation of benefit to the millions of cyclists and
horse riders who were promised improved bridleway and byway networks.



The only beneficiaries are landowners, under-performing local Authorities and a very
small minority of ramblers.



The Bill is an immediate and serious threat to all rights of way as Central Government
rushes to legislate new powers for easier closure and diversion of our historic paths.

WE MUST ACT NOW TO PROTECT OUR RIGHTS

The Countryside and Rights of Way Bill is scheduled for its second reading next week.
However, the legislation is incomplete. Additional proposals which have not yet been
published include measures to cap the definitive map and to divert paths for land
management and conservation.



BIKEmagic, along with National Federation of Bridleway Associations ask that all
access users act now to ensure Mr. Meacher reconsiders this ill-advised, incomplete
and premature legislation.

Please contact your MP as a matter
of urgency and ask him/her to write Mr. Meacher expressing your dismay at this legislation.

Your MP’s address is: House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.Find out who your MP is here



Please also send copies to:

Chris Mullin (Under Secretary for Environment)

John Prescott ([email protected])

Tony Blair ([email protected])

Gillian Shepard (Conservative Environment)

Mathew Taylor (Lib Dem Environment)



Further reading:-

NFBA Press Release : rowbill.doc

NFBA Analysis of the bill: billanalysis.doc