Lib Dems Force Government To Protect National Trails

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 9th Jul 2003

Following a Liberal Democrat-orchestrated defeat in the House of Lords last week, the Government has agreed an amendment to the Railways and Transport Safety Bill. The Minister assured the House that, under the amended Bill, if the Countryside Agency and local authorities are unable to deal with the problem within 12 months, the Government "can and shall" take action to protect National Trails - such as the Ridgeway - from the damage and noise pollution caused by motorised vehicles.

The concession comes after a long campaign by local MPs, including David Rendel, to persuade Ministers of the need for a change in the law. Mr Rendel met with the Rural Affairs Minister on 24 June to urge him to take action to protect the Ridgeway.

Mr Rendel said:

"This is excellent news. The Minister has responded to our pressure and given this clear undertaking that action will be taken as necessary to end the nuisance of noise pollution and the damage caused by motorised vehicles on the Ridgeway."