Caldbeck Common. Photo: Neil Boothman

Police will get tough on off-roaders spoiling the remote fells and moorland in the Back o’Skiddaw area in the north of the Lake District.

The national park authority says bikers and 4×4 drivers are damaging the fragile environment and wildlife on Caldbeck Common and have teamed up with the police to tackle the problem. One vehicle has already been impounded by the police.

The area is scientifically important as well as being a popular walking area traversed by the Cumbria Way.

It is owned by the Lake District national park and area ranger Graham Standring welcomed police support, saying the deteriorating situation and wanton damage must be stopped.

He said: “We’ve had spiralling problems and although Wigton police impounded a vehicle in the autumn, the situation is again causing great concern.

“People delude themselves into thinking because it’s a common, it gives them the right to use four wheel drive vehicles, quads and motorbikes on this relatively remote and precious land. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth.

“They are breaking road traffic, wildlife and countryside acts, as well as trespassing. Only registered commoners are allowed to use the land for agricultural purposes.

“This is a special area of conservation and a site of special scientific interest. As well as causing widespread surface damage, there are very real dangers to livestock and ground nesting birds such as curlew, meadow pipit and skylark.”

Registration numbers of offending vehicles are being taken and passed on to the police.

Inspector Dennis Kelly, of Cumbria Constabulary, said: “We will be working closely with the Lake District national park to trace the inconsiderate people who are committing offences on Caldbeck Common. Those found to be driving illegally on the land will be dealt with seriously; it is a beautiful area that we should all respect and work to protect.

“We are aware of the extent of the damage caused and will be carrying out enquiries and conducting checks in the area to ensure that people understand that by driving on this land they are breaking the law and can face prosecution.”

The move follows a similar scheme launched last month in north Wales – the Heather and Hillforts Project – to tackle damage caused by off-roaders on hills in Denbighshire.