Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill

With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: New clause 10—Driving a mechanically propelled vehicle on a footpath or bridleway or restricted byway (No. 2)— '(1) Section 34 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (c. 52) (prohibition of driving mechanically propelled vehicles elsewhere than on roads) is amended as follows. (2) After subsection (3) insert— "(3A) It is not an offence under this section for the owner or lessee of premises in existence at the date of commencement of section 47 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 or a successor in title to such premises or a lawful visitor thereto to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road being a footpath or bridleway or restricted byway if the driving of that vehicle is necessary for the reasonable occupation of the premises and where no other right of vehicular access to such premises is otherwise available for the benefit of the premises.".'. New clause 21—Evidence that a way is a restricted byway— 'Where at any time (whether before or after commencement of this provision) there is evidence of use of any vehicle, not being a bicycle on a bridleway after December 31st 1968, on a way, that evidence shall be acceptable evidence tending to show that the way in question is a carriageway having the status of a restricted byway.'. New clause 23—Regulation of cycle racing on public ways— '(1) Amend section 31 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (c. 52) (regulation of cycle racing on public ways) as follows. (2) In subsection (2) omit "other than a bridleway". (3) In subsection (6) omit "but does not include a footpath".'. Amendment No. 6, in clause 62, page 24, line 35, leave out 'commencement' and insert '19th May 2005'. Amendment No. 7, in page 25, line 13, leave out 'commencement' and insert '19th May 2005'. Amendment No. 12, in page 25, line 14, leave out 'was reasonably necessary to enable' and insert 'enables'. Amendment No. 13, in page 25, line 19, leave out from 'way' to end and insert 'at all times and for all purposes for the benefit of that land and all parts thereof'. Amendment No. 11, in clause 97, page 40, line 5, leave out from 'force' to end of line 8 and insert 'upon enactment'.