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Winter 2011-12 News Articles:
The growing number of motorised vehicles (mainly 4x4s and trail bikes) driving illegally on Colton’s footpaths, bridleways, fellsides and fields is an increasing concern because of the damage they do and their sometimes inconsiderate behaviour.
A working group of representatives from the National Park, the Police, Parish Councils, the Forestry Commission, English Nature and the Trail Riders’ Fellowship (which promotes responsible trail riding) is trying to tackle the problem.
The police have had some success in our area, issuing fixed penalty notices (fines). However, we need more people to be the eyes and ears of the community and report incidences of illegal activity and/or bad behaviour.
First, it is important to be clear about what is and what is not legal. In summary: · Motor-vehicles have a right of way ONLY on public vehicular highways. The only legal unsealed routes in Colton are 7 Unsealed, Unclassified Country Roads (UUCRs) and 1 By-way Open to All Traffic (BOAT). See www.coltonparishcouncil.org.uk/Off-Road.htm for details and maps. · Using a motor vehicle on any other land without the express permission of the land owner, is a criminal offence under section 34.1(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988. (Please note that land-owners and those with ‘common rights’ on land usually DO have a legal right to do so.) · The 8 legal routes above are subject to the same laws as any other road. Vehicles/drivers/riders must be fully road legal (tax, insurance, MOT, number plates etc.) and must drive/ride in a safe and considerate manner. · Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) can be applied to prohibit motor vehicles on legal routes in certain circumstances. At present, Colton has one seasonal TRO (October to May) in operation on the UCR 5566, across the Rusland Pool. · An aside about bicycles: these only have a right of way on the green roads listed above and on bridleways, but not on footpaths or any other land without permission.
Clerk
UPDATE ON THE 'COLTON GREEN ROAD PILOT STUDY'
It is well known that the County Council struggles to find funding to repair ordinary tarmac roads, let alone green lanes which are being used more and more by recreational traffic. As reported in previous newsletters, the idea of this Pilot Study is to assess exactly what is needed to bring our green lanes back into serviceable and manageable condition, estimate how much this would cost, raise money from wherever possible, carry out repairs on one or two of the lanes and then monitor the condition of these over a period of years, while doing our best to maintain them. From this, the ’sustainability’ (and associated maintenance costs) of green lanes in general will be better understood. Two lanes were selected as being fairly representative of the general situation: those leading west and south from High Ickenthwaite. The group running the project, including the Highways Authority, the National Park, your Parish Council and County Councillor can now report that the surveys have been carried out (to assess repair costs) and money has been found from a variety of sources which may enable one of the lanes to be repaired soon. Once the work has been completed, help with monitoring condition over subsequent years would be welcomed. Cllr Barr
On a rather blustery and windswept Monday, 19th of December, Bouthrey Bridge, which had been badly damaged in the floods two years ago, was finally re-opened. Over one hundred people turned up to see County Councillors Claire Salisbury and Rod Wilson cut the ribbon which permits traffic to cross the River Crake again. Thanks go to local residents for their patience with the inconvenience this outage has caused, particularly to Mr Hodgson who farms the land straddling the river. One particular issue that did cause some delay, was the sensitivity of the site, as the river at this point is part of the salmon spawning grounds. The bridge has been rebuilt to a high standard, in its original style, and includes an otter pass and an open area to allow a greater flow of water if required to avoid, hopefully, such damage in the future. It’s worth taking a look what has been achieved by the authorities and their contractors when you next drive through Water Yeat! Cllr Potts
Colton Parish Council Elections will be held in May: look out for notices on your local notice boards. If you are over 18 and interested in standing for election, please get in touch with the Clerk (see back page). For information on the role of Councils and Councillors, speak to an existing Councillor and/or go to www.calc.org.uk and click on ‘About Parish Councils’. Clerk The repeat Colton Housing Needs Survey is still scheduled to take place, but the delay is due to an overload of work for the dedicated team at the Cumbria Rural Housing Trust. The Trust has incorporated some of the additional questions that your Councillors asked to be included, and we hope to have the final version agreed shortly so that we can gather your views. Clerk
New Police non-emergency number: 101 is now the number to call when you want to contact your local police for non-emergencies—for example, reporting a stolen item, suspicious activity, poaching, or illegal off-roading.
Colton Oil Purchasing Syndicate Meeting: The soaring cost of heating oil is a worry for many of us. A group of residents has set up a syndicate to gain the best price from suppliers. If you would like to join, call Mike Postle on 01229 861685 and attend the meeting on 10th Feb, 7.00pm, The Manor, Oxen Park.
Queen’s Jubilee Beacons: Communities are being asked whether they want to light a beacon for the Queen’s Jubilee. If you want to mark the occasion in this way, then please contact the Clerk for details of how to register and what to do.
Field of Pigs, Nr Finsthwaite: Your Council is as exasperated as some of you are about the flooding, potholes, pollution, escapees etc. arising from this field, and is putting strong pressure on the various agencies to resolve the issues.
Forthcoming Parish Council Meetings
Agendas and authorised minutes of meetings are
available from the Clerk,
on this website and on your notice boards.
West Ward (Colton, Oxen Park, Spark Bridge E. &
Nibthwaite) Central Ward (Bouth & Rusland) East Ward (Lakeside & Finsthwaite) Clerk: Ms Mandy Lane, Lilac Cottage, Oxen Park, Ulverston LA12 8HG 01229 861408 Email: coltonpc@btinternet.com Website: www.coltonparishcouncil.org.uk Cumbria County Councillor (Cartmel Division):
Mr Rod
Wilson 015395 36673
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