Campaigners say tracks such as Long Causeway at Stanage are being damaged by off-roaders. Photo: Michael Ely CC-BY-SA-2.0
National park bosses have vowed to act on the problems caused by off-roaders damaging routes.
The Peak District National Park Authority’s audit, resources and performance committee said it will come up with a new strategy for the area’s unsurfaced tracks.
The decision came after a rally of more than 100 people at Stanage Edge last weekend pressing for protection for the national park’s tracks and green lanes.
A spokesperson for the authority said it backed the concerns of local residents and interest groups about the impact of trail bikes and 4×4 vehicles on the national park’s tranquillity and the difficulty walkers, cyclists and horse riders faced when vehicles damaged tracks.
“In the meantime meetings are to be called with senior police officers and councillors from the highways authorities that cover the national park to build on existing successful partnership work to tackle the issue and see if more can be done.
“A new consultative group involving these organisations, user groups and interest groups will meet in early September to look at practical measures that can be done to resolve problems,” the spokesperson said.
A revised strategy will go before the full authority in December, and members will also look at budgets with a view to increasing the speed of implementation of any new plans.
Christopher Pennell, chair of the audit, performance and resources committee, said: “It is good that people are so passionate about the national park’s beautiful landscape and are concerned about issues like this.
“This meeting was an opportunity to reflect on the real progress that has been made to manage 4×4 and trail bike use on unsurfaced routes in the national park.
“But it was also a time to hear and respond to the concerns expressed by people on both sides of the argument who want the momentum increasing, which is why we are recommending the strategy is updated and we look at finding ways of committing more money to this area of work at a time when the authority is facing budget cuts.
“No single group or authority can resolve this issue on their own. That is why we will continue to work in partnership with the police, local authorities, the Local Access Forum, 4×4 and trail-bike user groups and a variety of recreation user groups, including horse riders, walkers and cyclists on these complicated issues.”
The authority has assessed 180 routes and found 24 it views as a priority. It has installed monitoring equipment to log use of routes to provide legal evidence if necessary and has introduced a Traffic Regulation Order banning motor vehicles on one track.
Derbyshire County Council is also looking into the routes where there is a question of the legality of motor vehicle use and carried out an enforcement and education campaign with police under the Operation Blackbrook project.
Repairs, improved signs and maintenance have also been carried out at various sites, the national park authority said.
Paul Roberts
17 July 2011I use a trail bike on routes through the Peak District and have upmost respect for my surroundings and people who share these Roads. I thoughly enjoy my Trail Riding hobby, just as much as people do who walk, cycle or horse ride.
There must be thousands of miles of FOOTPATHS and Byways for walkers, cyclists and horse riders to use. But the protestors are not happy with that, they want every track and every route.
Organising a protest at Stnage Edge was a ridiculous idea!That Route is in dire need of some TLC and organising a protest at such a place was very silly.
484's do the most damage, taring the trail riders with the same brush is very unfair.
Close routes to 4x4's and tax Trail Riders extra every year to help pay for maintenance to routes.
There is always a compromise, working together we can achieve that. Please contact me if you require further input.
Cat Broughton
17 July 2011Having been hit in the face (only just missing my eyes) by stones thrown up by trail bikes, I firmly believe that neither trail bikes nor other recreational vehicles have any place on our footpaths and green lanes. The old packhorse trails were not designed for motorised vehicles either.
We go to these areas for peace and quiet, only for it to be destroyed by thoughtless, selfish people riding noisy smelly bikes.
I would be more than happy to pay some sort of membership fee to the National Parks Authority if it would go to maintaining these ways - but not if they're going to be chewed up by trail bikes etc.
R Webb
17 July 2011We can hear you, we can smell you (from all those other paths)
Why do you need an engine?
Ranger Bob
17 July 2011Is this argument about damage to the trails or is it to do with noise? I ask that because no one is mentioning the trail damage caused by Horses, which is really quite significant! Personally, I think there is room for all user groups without all of this bad feeling. Getting groups to work together would seem a better idea than alienating one group for the supposed benefit of others. Lets face it, when the trail bikes get banned, it'll be mountain bikers next, then horse riders, etc, etc. Come on folks...lets try for a bit more harmony, rather than ranting & raving about who is the bad guy and who is the good guy!
Ben Stobbs
18 July 2011Yet again we here the same old arguments trotted out when the agenda here is the eventual banning of motorised vehicles on what are in effect public roads. It is disappointing to here a trail bike rider blaming 4wd vehicles for the majority of damage. The truth being that there are irresponsible parties from all user groups whose thoughtless actions contribute to the erosion of rights of way.
If a motorised vehicle is used on a footpath or a bridleway, the law is being broken, which for the benefit of all must be prevented. A sensible balance needs to be struck in order to accommodate ALL users, not catering to the whims of one party at the expense of another. The fact of the matter is that all users contribute to damage, as such perhaps all users should be asked to contribute to the upkeep of public rights of way. At a time when the highway budgets of all authorites are under considerable pressure, alternative means need to be found to protect and preserve the ways that we have. These issues are seen as a low priority with the majority of funds being allocated to the road network. The highway authority has a legal responsibility to maintain PROW's in a suitable condition, unfortunately their budgets do not reflect this responsibility. Regarding the comment made about green lanes being constructed for the passage of horses and carts I would suggest the writer takes a closer look at the numerous masonry arch structures no doubt driven over on the way to park up before heading into the hills. Many of these date from medieval times and are still capable of accommodating the transport needs of the 21st century.
I own a Landrover, I drive green lanes, treat other users with respect and only drive when conditions are suitable. I'm a keen walker and mountain biker and am hoping to compleat a round of the Munros next week so I can appreciate both sides of the argument.
Will Legon
18 July 2011I agree largely with all that is said above. What really angers me is the idiots who have no respect for the countryside who decide to randomly hack across tracts of land because it looks like a laugh, a challenge ... whatever. Then there are those that just discard their detritus from their vehicle: tyres and exhaust pipes are a common scene along the Houndkirk Trail.
As well as being a walker I climb. As far as I can see most user groups self police and regulate - and thus things seem to work. People don't climb on crags where it's known Ring Ouzel are nesting for example. I used to mountain bike many years ago - I'm not so comfortable doing so these days however.
If the idiots on bikes and 4X4 could be self regulated / policed by their more responsible peers I'd have far more time for respecting their wishes to ride and drive on our* "green" lanes. (*Our - as in Britain's - these are afterall a part of our heritage and legacy).
A Piglit
31 July 2011This is just snobbery plain and simple and an attempt to stomp on the rights of people mainly working class by middle class people who think everything should be their way and that the countryside should be a playground for them and them only.
I live right on top of the peak and walk and run regularly on tracks like this. The vehicles and bikes, which have a long standing right to use these roads aren't any hazard at all, and the erosion is mainly due to lack of maintainence and water.
There's another problem here too as Ranger Bob suggests - if you can call for the rights of one lot of users to be removed on bogus environmental grounds then who's next? Let's not forget who's responsible for most of the erosion on paths everywhere, often necessitating landscape changing remedial work like around Stanage itself - yup it's walkers!
Let's hope the Park authority and the council sort this out in a balanced way and don't give into the undemocratic pressure that is being brought to bear here - if my guess is right from those arch Nimbys the Friends of the Peak District.
Oh and while we're at it - anyone care to enforce existing laws against mountain bikers on footpaths?
Er no, thought not.
Ranger Paul
30 October 2011In my work I occasionally come across motorbikes in places they should not be, and places they should be. I also see people on horses, bicycles, in electric scooters, with or without dogs and children in tow. They all present there own problems when they behave inappropriately in the wrong place.
Whether the off road users cause annoyance by the noise or smell of their vehicles is not grounds for banning them. The damage caused by their legal use of a route is the only issue that can be considered legally. And has been said in other comments, horses , cycles and walkers all cause damage and erosion to routes.
I watched the programme tonight on the Peak Park, and the one point which stuck in my mind .... people campaigned and trespassed to gain access to the countryside, culminating in the Act which established PRoW across the country. Calling for a ban to restrict certain users is a step backwards and should be done with caution.
I saw a lot of nimbism from priviliged people who have the luxury of living in the Park...not something enjoyed by everyone...........to much emotion and not enough thinking....
An off road motorbiker made an interesting comment....people have a 1950 chocolate box image of the Park...... and thats the retoric I heard from many of the retired middle class protesters.....
There are plenty of people who use off road vehicles including tractors and quad bikes who also do a lot of damage to routes simply to access their land...they wont be banned....