NERC Bill

[Paul Humphreys]

As the NERC bill has/is going through the lords. It has to go back to the MPs. Now is the time to email them all. Tell them why it is wrong and it needs changing or stopping.

It’s never too late to try to change things.

To find who you’re local MP is look here:-

http://www.writetothem.com/ (http://www.writetothem.com/)

Thanks for your help on this.

Paul Humphreys
CRAG RTL

[graham]

Have contacted my MP giving her my concerns. ;)
We are on first name terms now she telephoned my regarding another matter, I said that labour are becoming the ban party, she voted against the smoking ban and thinks that people should have freedom of choice and to find a compromise.

So peebs write or email your MP let them know how you feel about the labour party and their attitude towards our feedom.

[Abu]

Im more then willing to get in contact with my MP. I know him personally and my Dad is his Constituancy Chairman:) If they dont support our cause ill give them both hell;)

However before i write to him could someone explain to me the problems and implications of the NERC bill. I cannot access the Glass website (university network doesnt allow it) and i cant find much on the CRAG website:(

Regards
Adam

[DavejDavies]

Im more then willing to get in contact with my MP. I know him personnally and my Dad is his Constituancy Chairman:) If they doesnt support our cause ill give them both hell;)

However before i write to him could someone explain to me the problems and implications of the NERC bill. I cannot access the Glass website (university network doesnt allow it) and i cant find much on the CRAG website:(

Regards
Adam

See links below for a start... things aren't looking good

http://www.landrovernet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55688

http://www.landrovernet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55415

http://forum.difflock.com/discus/messages/10/153291.html?1141430543

[Abu]

Thankyou very much...cant access the difflock website either

1st letter is sent to my MP in MK. Just checked and he voted in support of us in its last round round the commons:)

Now im going to send one to my MP down in Southampton..a Mr Alan Whitehead......a follower of our all knowledgable poor excuse of a leader Prime Minister future dictator:( ...dam just looked at Mr White heads profile.....i dont beleive i live here:eek: You can guess he voted for the bill eh?

Good little tory boy me;):D

[Paul Humphreys]

I respect that we will not agree, I also thank you for responding, these issues can be emotive and adversarial.
I would like to clarify tho some issues which I have raised in a previous email. I have people in Dorset who would gladly show you some lanes which will be affected by the legislation. I should point out that 7 tonne traction engines used to use some of the lanes in question so there has been motorised use which is doucmented in a great many ways.
I would again reiterate that it might be beneficial for yourself to see some of the lanes and meet those who enjoy them.
The NERC bill is somewhat heavy handed to say the least and is more destructive than constructive.

Regards

Dave Rogers

Chairman CRAG



In a message dated 04/03/2006 15:19:51 GMT Standard Time, Oliver.Letwin@Rothschild.co.uk writes:



If there is no damage, then a perfectly ordinary planning process can apply.

And, so far as retrospectivity is concerned, I simply do not see how stopping an application in mid-course can possibly be regarded as retrospective in any accepted sense of that term. If I apply for something, and the application is turned down, that is not retrospective.

I am afraid we are not going to agree about this. And nor are the multitudes of my constituents who are fighting these applications in West Dorset.


Oliver Letwin

-----Original Message-----
From: RgrsDvd@aol.com
To: Letwin, Oliver; paulihumphreys@btopenworld.com; rdadd@b-line-maintenance.co.uk; 4x4man@blueyonder.co.uk
CC: rtl@discuss.crag-uk.org
Sent: Sat Mar 04 11:18:56 2006
Subject: Re: NERC Bill

Mr Letwin, if backdating the stopping of Rights of Way applications isn't retrospective, what on earth is?
You cannot twist words to suit your own point of view. This piece of legislation is unfair and a serious and distinct erosion of our public rights. It is simply an attempt to permenantly deprive the public of some ancient rights and that in my book is stealing!

I'm the Chairman of the Countryside Recreational Access Group (CRAG) ( www.crag-uk.org ) by the way
You talk of environmentally damaging things because of our rights. That's an insult to the huge majority who make up the laning community who responsibly use the ROW with care. We maintain and preserve, not damage.

You show your ignorance of the publication of statistics produced by DEFRA regarding damage to lanes and ROW.
Most damage is through agricultural use with forestry coming top of the list, 4x4's at the bottom. If you're going to thrown mud, at least get your facts right. Please research your arguments more throughly before commenting on things I believe you know very little about.

If a lane or route is liable to become damaged at certain times of the year then we would offer the solution in partnership with the local authority of a seasonal TRO or voluntary restraint. Works may be appropriate to bring the ROW to a good standard of repair.These are locally agreed practices. We do not intend damage, ever. We seek to sustain and preserve the various ROW insofar as we can, for all users.

May I suggest Mr Letwin, that I show you some of the lanes that we will lose as a result of this legislation? I can introduce you to Rights of Way Officers with who we work closely, they will give you their point of view. Management is the key, not the restriction of access stated by the NERC bill. Have you actually visited any of the lanes which the legislation will affect?

I would welcome the opportunity to show you some of the lanes that we use and also some which we will no longer be able to drive, even though they are sustainable and of use to the local community.


In a message dated 04/03/2006 08:51:12 GMT Standard Time, Oliver.Letwin@Rothschild.co.uk writes:




I'm sorry -- I don't, as I have said to your colleague, accept that stoppoing applications in process is retrospective.

And I don't think people should acquire the right to do environmentally damaguing things simply because horses and carts once used a particular route.

I am afraid we disagree about this.

Oliver Letwin

-----Original Message-----
From: RgrsDvd@aol.com
To: Letwin, Oliver
CC: paulihumphreys@btopenworld.com
Sent: Sat Mar 04 00:13:13 2006
Subject: NERC Bill

Mr Letwin

I'm concerned also about the NERC bill, my friend and colleague has taken the time to write you a letter of great concern regarding fair legislation. I'm extremely concerned that you and others like you are stealing our liberties.

Prove us wrong


Dear (MP),

I contact you on a very specific matter which concerns some recent ammendments to the Natural Environment and Rural Communties Bill, currently in the House of Lords.

I have very grave concerns with regard to ammendment 318. This ammendment seeks to backdate a cut-off date for application to ammend the definitive map,which was originally set at 2026 within the CroW Act of 2000. The ammendment now indicates May 2005 as the closing date for such applications.

It would appear that this ammendment has been included as a response to the supposed thousands of claims being put in by users of Mechanically Propelled Vehicles. Although DEFRA themselves put the true figures at 995 claims as of 17th Jan 2006. It is also not clear how many of this modifications are "normal traffic" due to Landowners and Planning matters.

However, my gravest concern is one of this retrospective law making. I believe that this goes against the very principal of a fair and democratic society. If it wasn't so serious it would be laughable. Are we to expect retrospective legislation in other areas of our lives.

I would ask that you consider my points deeply, I believe that we may be entering a very dark political avenue. One that should not be gone down.

Yours Faithfully,


Dave Rogers
Chairman
Countryside Recreational Access Group
www.crag-uk.org

[DavejDavies]

Doing some background reading before writing to my MP

Notice GLASS have an article up dated today Here (http://www.glass-uk.org/pages/news/topical_2006/nerc_bill.htm)

Paul - is it still worth emailing the Lords or has it past that stage?

[Paul Humphreys]

Still email the Lords as well. Copy the email to your MP as well.

Paul

[Abu]

Got my reply back:D

Dear Mr Kenyon

Thank you for your email regarding the Natural Environment and Rural
Communties Bill, you are one of many people to have contacted me
highlighting your concerns at the potential loss of access to the
'RUPP's. In principle I am more than happy to support any amendment
that may help overturn Clause 61 at it's final reading.

I must be honest and say I am not sure if this will be possible as the
speaker will only pick a couple of amendments to be debated and this is
an issue that really should have been debated when the first reading of
the bill went before Parliament back in 2004.

I will of course do what I can,

With every good wish,

Mark Lancaster

Member of Parliament, North East Milton Keynes.

PS Lest you think this a standard email, Isn't it time you took that
smelly hat off?

[graham]

Quote]

I must be honest and say I am not sure if this will be possible as the
speaker will only pick a couple of amendments to be debated and this is
an issue that really should have been debated when the first reading of
the bill went before Parliament back in 2004.

Just goes to show that because they are MP's it doesn't mean they are educated, there are too many bills going through that MP's can't be bothered to research or have not got the intellectual capacity to think for themselves.

What happend to democracy in this country?

Rant over

[Paul Humphreys]

Just goes to show that because they are MP's it doesn't mean they are educated, there are too many bills going through that MP's can't be bothered to research or have not got the intellectual capacity to think for themselves.

What happend to democracy in this country?

Rant over

I know what you mean. I have had a lot back saying
"Thank you for your letter. Unfortunately Mr ******* will not be able to
assist you with this matter as you do not live in his constituency. I
would like to advise that you contact your local MP."

But I have had a lot of good ones as well like
"Dear Paul, Thank you for your email, I will pass it on to our Front
Bench
team. Regards *****"

So I think its good to try. Sofar I have had over 90 replys and ther are still coming.

Paul