FAR from seeing themselves as vandalisers of the countryside, green laners are intent on keeping open ancient byways traditionally used by vehicles.

They say many have become overgrown and fallen into disuse and that if they have become muddy and rutted it is because they have not been properly maintained.

Matt Roberts, who is the Worcestershire representative for the Green Lane Association (GLASS), said members enjoy "laning" in off-road type vehicles, usually going out in groups of up to six.

He has been laning for 15 years and is keen to co-operate with the parish and county councils in clearing and maintaining the lanes.

"Two years ago I contacted Worcestershire County Council with a view to carrying out remedial work in Sandy Lane, which would originally have been wide enough for horse-drawn carts, but has eroded into a V-gulley," he said.

"I was going to provide volunteers to clear it and lay stone provided by the county council, but the parish council couldn't decide what stone to use and nothing came of it."

Guises Lane at Wichenford was another example of a stone-based lane which had not been maintained and had become overgrown, he said. Last July members of GLASS cleared some of the vegetation to allow free passage of vehicles and offered to enter into a voluntary agreement not to use the lane in wet conditions, when damage could occur.

"Instead, the council has put a traffic restraint order on it. They have put their power to do that before their duty to maintain the lane as a right of way," he said.

Mr Roberts said three local lanes, Hayley Dingle between Brockamin and Lulsley, Hill Mill Road, Brockamin and Sandy Lane, Alfrick, had all been illegally obstructed with large pieces of masonry.

GLASS belongs to the umbrella group LARA, Land Access and Recreation Association, which is keen to keep green lanes open for everyone's enjoyment and lays down strict guidelines for users.

Also members of LARA are the motorcyclists of the Trail Riders Fellowship, whose Worcestershire representative is Steve Hobby.

He said members ride local lanes in groups of six or eight about twice a year to keep them open, but prefer to go to Wales.

"It's in our interest to see that everyone follows the rules, but there will always be some who don't and we all get tarred with the same brush," he said.

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