This is the lane that runs from Broadwindsor to Horn Hill over Beaminster Tunnel in West Dorset. A couple of years ago the wide grass verges of this lane were trashed by 4x4s driving off piste. A group called Friends of Common Water lane was formed to erect fences to separate the hard route of the track from the verges and add signs asking vehicles to stay of the vulnerable verges , it worked and the verges recovered nicely. Sadly in the last month the 4x4s have returned and driving round the fences and signage and have mindlessly trashed these verges again. If you have any information of the 4x4s who have done this contact www.friendsofcommonwaterlane.org.uk It goes without saying that this does not do the TRF any good as in many people's eyes 4x4 and trail bikes are the same thing. I have been it touch with the F of C W L to express the TRF's disgust at this mindless damage and distance ourselves from the 4x4s. Matt Towill
-- Edited by MATT T on Sunday 27th of December 2015 05:33:25 PM
Regarding the 4x4 damage at Common Water Lane,Broadwindsor Dorset I have today recieved the attached e-mail from Susannah Madigan who represents the Friends of Common Water Lane Group
.Dear Matthew
Further to my e-mail to you of 27th December, I am writing to let you know that a meeting of interested parties will be held in Comrades Hall, Broadwindsor, this Friday at 12.15 p.m. for approx. one hour (in the Lewesdon Room upstairs). Our MP was due to chair, but has had to cancel at the last minute to attend a Cabinet Meeting! So, hopefully, we will have our County Councillor (chairing the meeting), District Councillor, a representative from the Highways Department, Dorset Wildlife Trust, 3CBG (Three Counties Bridleway Group) and some local landowners, as well as some FCWL members. It's hoped this will give an opportunity for all concerned to air their views constructively. If you or any of your members would like to attend, you are most welcome, and apologies for the last minute notification. If attendance is not possible, but you would like to be kept informed of the outcome, please let me know.
It seems that some local people may be aware of the identity of the perpetrators.....
Best wishes
Susannah
Unfortunately work commitments do not permit me to attend this meeting.I will e-mail Sussanah Madigan to again distance responsible TRF use of this lovely lane from the mindless 4x4 brigade who trashed the wide grass verges over the last few months.
Unfortunately its a tad short notice for me to attend the meeting but would offer any services i can to add some muscle on the ground to fix or repair damage
This is an amazing lane i love to use it would be a shame to loose such a road for a few numpties, lets hope the meeting can see a solution
Thanks for the offer of help Wacky. Why is it that us trail riders are hard working chaps and these sort of meetings are always during the working week.
For Info
I have also posted this on the national trf site and the Somerset TRF site.
Matt T
-- Edited by MATT T on Thursday 18th of February 2016 06:49:12 AM
I have heard through the grape vine that TRF members attended the meeting at Broadwindsor today to represent the Trail Riders Fellowship.
Thank you to those concerned
A friend of mine took time out to attend this meeting and has put a very good report and pictures of the damage caused on the Dorset forum , well worth a look for those who can access it , I would post it on hear but I am pants at any thing to do with computers . I normally report it and leave it to Martyn' / Cubber to do the rest
"Browsing the National forum I noticed a meeting to be held on Friday 19 to discuss 4x4 damage to the lane.
So after riding the lane (and a few round there) i attended the meeting in the Comrades hall .
30 -40 people -quite a few landowners all fairly pissed at the damage,lots of animated but controlled discution,the consensus being to get the police to prosecute the 4-5 4x4s that are responcible
based on photo and vidio evidence. apparently they are doing it at night, and accessing the lanes from ajacent Bridalways,though the damage is within the lane boundarys the fact that they drive on the 'verges' is illegal
Quite a well informed bunch section 59 was mentioned,but motorcycles were not a issue
Both myself and a guy called Pete rom Devon TRF both gave input that was well recieved
The counsiller and a member of Dorset Highways left with promises to co-ordinate with council and Police to raise action-We can but hope."
Cor - those pictures are slightly large - like the 10" x 8" glossy police photographs!
There now, is that OK, Blueray?
Martyn
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TTR250 but now a mobility scooter Budleigh Salterton
Blimey that was quick Martyn, as this is a nice long lane that quite a few members ride I thought it might be a good idea to put on hear as it will be under close scrutiny I me sure for a while , but as mentioned hopefully not for motorcyclist's though
thanks for the info
i live close to the lane and ride a little of it on my young horse so will keep my eyes peeled
he doesnt like the lane cos a 4wd popped out from behind the hedge there with a noisy exhaust or no exhaust
a black 4wd , not a car 4wd driver
so i guess the guy may live there or have a small holding the broadwindsor end
its a well known lane though
