The Walna Scar Road seen from a shelter on the route. Photo: Ian Grieg CC-BY-SA-2.0
A popular Lakeland track will remain closed to motor traffic after a ruling by an inspector.
The decision ends more than 30 years of uncertainty over the status of the Walna Scar Road, which runs between Coniston and Seathwaite in Dunnerdale.
Lake District National Park Authority countryside access adviser Nick Thorne said that the complexities of the legislation and the sheer amount of documents and arguments put by all the parties involved had made this one of the most difficult investigations into rights of way status that the national park had ever undertaken.
More than 600 pages were sent to the inspector, including guide books from 1835 to the modern era.
Evidence also included maps from as far back as 1745, as well as highway surveyor’s records from the late 18th century, quarry leases from the late 18th century and photographs from the 1920s.
Mr Thorne said: “Although complex, it was fascinating to be able to draw up a history of the route in this way – it certainly helps us understand the area and its relationship with the quarries and road network over the last few centuries.
“The Secretary of State has finally concluded that the correct legal status of the route is a Restricted Byway – which, unless legislation changes, will remain its status into the future.
“Consequently the route will be open to all traffic, except motorised vehicles.”
Any motorist or motorbiker now using Walna Scar Road between Coniston and Seathwaite will be committing an offence.
Tony Greaves
08 February 2012Anyone who can drive the whole length of the Walna Scar road has a fearsome vehicle!
(Perhaps I should declare a shamefaced interest in that we used to drive up as far as Boo Tarn en route for Dow Crag or the Old Man...)
foxina22
09 February 2012Great for some but does anyone know someone with a pony and trap to take disabled people in wheel chairs ? Say no more understand the problems with vehicles but any one come up with the solution for the disable or have we been robbed again...do we have to get this to the european courts for a solution.
Roworth
09 February 2012What a waste of time and money just to state the obvious.
Simon Caldwell
09 February 2012"Any motorist or motorbiker now using Walna Scar Road between Coniston and Seathwaite will be committing an offence."
Does that mean we can no longer drive to the car park at the end of the tarmac section?
C.Stevens
14 February 2012All public motor vehicle rights end at the fell wall gate at the end of the tarmac road. The route beyond the gate is a Restricted Byway. It is an offence to drive on a Restricted Byway without "Lawful Authority".
As to what constitutes "Lawful Authority", I'll let you decide.
Beware that anyone driving past the gate into the well frequented 'eyesore' of an unofficial carpark 'may' be committing an offence under the road traffic act.