Winchester MP backs residents' calls for Traffic Restriction Order on River Meon
The Winchester MP's says it's "ridiculous" people are allowed to drive down the protected River Meon
The Winchester MP's says it's "ridiculous" people are allowed to drive down the protected River Meon, joining the calls of over a hundred locals for the banning of vehicles on the river.
Residents are calling for a Traffic Restriction Order to stop vehicles from being allowed down the 200-metre riverbed.
Protesters gathered in Droxford on Saturday to demonstrate against the recreational use of the protected chalk stream.
Danny Chambers, MP for Winchester. said: "People are really angry that you can take a four-by-four and drive it up and down the chalk stream.
"Ruining the riverbed, damaging the wildlife and the ecosystem there.
"It seems absolutely crazy that people are allowed to do this.
"They take millions of years to form and once they're gone, they're gone.
"So to have people just driving four-by-fours up and down them every weekend and destroying some of that wildlife and natural environment?
"It's just an absolute travesty."
Campaigners and locals say introducing a Traffic Restriction Order should be introduced to ban this from happening.
A spokesperson for South Downs National Park Authority said: "The South Downs National Park Authority is working with Hampshire County Council as a matter of urgency, to request their intervention due to concern relating to the ongoing degradation of the River Meon at the T189 Mill Lane “splash route”.
"While the SDNPA holds certain discretionary powers, we cannot regulate traffic on the surfaced sections of Mill Lane.
"As the Highway and Traffic Authority, Hampshire County Council is the body with the statutory responsibility to implement a comprehensive Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) where environmental harm is occurring.
"The Authority stands ready to assist Hampshire County Council."
Hampshire County Council has been contacted for comment.