Illegal off-road driving on Dudmaston National Trust estate.

Dear Resident

A byway is a track, often rural, which is too minor to be called a road.  Byways are often uneven, unsurfaced routes typically having the appearance of 'green lanes'.  Despite this, it is legal (but may not always be physically possible) to drive vehicles along certain byways.

Today (9th April 2025), officers from Bridgnorth's Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) have been made aware of illegal off-road driving after vehicles have deviated off a designated byway and crossed onto private land belonging to Dudmaston National Trust estate. These vehicles have caused significant damage to arable farm land, natural woodlands & habitats and a brook.

As per the Road Traffic Act 1988, it is an offence to drive any vehicle on 'any common land, moorland, or land of any other description, not being land forming part of a road, or any road being a footpath, bridle way or restricted byway apart from some exceptions like to save a life'.  If a vehicle is used in this way, the police can seize it immediately or they may serve a notice to the owner and driver.  The notice warns all concerned that if the vehicle is used again in that way by anyone, on that occasion, it will be seized.  Additionally, it also warns the offending driver that if they drive or ride in the same way during the next year, the vehicle they are using may be seized - whoever it belongs to, and they'll be liable for the recovery and storage costs when they eventually get the vehicle back.

Patrols will be increased to identify those involved.  If you have any information or dash cam footage of off-road type vehicles within the area of Dudmaston, please inform the local SNT which can be done by replying to this message.

Kindest regards

PC LOFTUS