‘Untold damage’ caused by 4×4 drivers in Shropshire

A group of 4x4 drivers have been accused of causing ‘untold damage’ after they were spotting driving along a Shropshire river.

4x4 drivers Shropshire

A group of 4×4 drivers are being warned they could face legal proceedings after being spotted driving along a Shropshire river.

Several off-road vehicles were photographed by a member of the public who reported the group to the Environment Agency. In a tweet, Chris Bainger, Environment Agency fisheries technical specialist for Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, said “this is not okay”.

“Rivers are sensitive ecological environments, not green lanes.”

Anyone who is found to have driven along a river could be subject to criminal proceedings under the Wildlife and Countryside Act or civil proceedings for trespass. Owners of riverbanks own up to the centre point of a river. Anyone entering a river and crossing over the centre point should have permission from the owners of both banks.

‘Directly crushing any ecology’

Chris Bainger said: “Do they realise the harm they may be doing?

“They are directly crushing any ecology and while some fish like trout and larger juvenile salmon may be able to get away, small salmon won’t escape. Plus, if there are a number of vehicles following each other they are damaging the sensitive gravel on the riverbed.

“That means fish will be less able to successfully spawn later in the year, additionally the churned up sediment smothers the river bed and the small creatures that live within it. Those are an essential part of the food chain for larger aquatic wildlife in the river. The knock on effect is longer term stress on the localised environment.”

The Environment Agency is urging people with evidence of anyone driving down a river bed to contact the police. Alternatively, crimes can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 055 111.

Earlier this month, police were searching for a green 4×4 “with loud exhaust” after it was seen “tearing up the golf course” near Telford, Shropshire.

In a tweet, Telford Police said: “We are looking for it now. There were players on the course so you can appreciate how dangerous it was.”

ALSO READ:

Grand Prix Designs: work to start on Silverstone trackside homes

The Torsus Terrastorm is a 4×4 minibus for you and your army

How to find the cheapest petrol and diesel near me

Related Articles

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith
Gavin Braithwaite-Smithhttp://www.petrolblog.com
Writer with a penchant for #FrenchTat. Owns 15 vehicles of varying degrees of terribleness. Also doing a passable impression of Cousin Eddie in an Italian-German beige motorhome. Doesn't get out much.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

New 680hp Aston Martin Vantage S to debut at Goodwood FOS

With more power, a sharper chassis and bespoke styling, the new 2025 Aston Martin Vantage S is available to order now.

A fifth of British drivers are scared to wash an electric car

New research reveals a widespread misunderstanding still exists about washing an EV – and the risk of receiving an electric shock.

Over half of motorists now drive an older car than five years ago

Motorists are driving increasingly older cars, as figures show more than four in 10 cars on British roads are over a decade old.

Gordon Murray Automotive: the supercar stars of Goodwood Festival of Speed 

Tim Pitt visits Surrey-based Gordon Murray Automotive and asks CEO Phillip Lee about being the featured marque at Goodwood FOS 2025.