Erosion on environmentally sensitive parts of Chapel Gate

Erosion on environmentally sensitive parts of Chapel Gate

National park bosses have agreed to ban off-roaders from a centuries-old public highway as a ‘last resort’ to stop further damage.

A temporary order will make it illegal for 4×4s, trail-bikes, quads and other motorised vehicles to use Chapel Gate, under Rushup Edge near Edale in the Peak District.

The national park authority’s first experimental traffic regulation order will come into force for 18 months once a current Derbyshire County Council closure order, introduced for maintenance to the route, ends.

Chapel Gate forms part of an ancient route between Edale and Chapel-en-le-Frith and is at present a byway open to all traffic.

But the park authority said deep ruts, mud, water and exposed rocks are now deterring walkers, cyclists and horse-riders, and erosion has widened up to 12m as people deviate onto surrounding land with fragile wildlife habitats.

The 3km (2-mile) route crosses a landscape designated a special area of conservation, a special protection area and a site of special scientific interest.

Only one member of the national park authority’s audit, resources and performance committee today abstained, the rest voting in favour of the move.

Officials advised it as a last resort to halt further severe environmental damage.

Committee chair Christopher Pennell said: “We agree that time is needed for the landscape to recover and to establish whether that recovery is sustained over two growing seasons with motorised traffic excluded.”

Speaking in support of the 18-month ban were representatives of the Peak District Green Lane Alliance, Peak Horsepower, the Forum for Ancient Byways, Rocking the BOAT action group, and the Peak District Local Access Forum, an independent advisory group of walkers, climbers, cyclists, horse-riders and motorised users, which originally recommended the measure. No member of the public spoke against.

A six-week public consultation earlier this year resulted in 309 responses in favour of a temporary ban, and 207 against.

People in favour were concerned about danger, ecological damage, erosion, disturbance to wildness and tranquillity, pollution from noise and emissions, water run-off, and impact on agricultural access.

Those against argued that lack of maintenance had caused the current state of the route; motorised traffic was not the only cause; there were few legal off-road routes available to them; riders came from all over the country to ride Chapel Gate; they too wanted to experience wildness; riders were being unfairly discriminated against, and a ban would put pressure on other routes.

Access and rights of way manager Mike Rhodes said: “We are working hard to maintain a positive relationship with responsible recreational motor-users and we value the contribution of the Peak and Derbyshire Vehicle User Group in educating and informing drivers and riders.”

The umbrella group takes part in volunteer work parties and in joint Operation Blackbrook days with the police and national park rangers, talking to users at popular off-roading spots, offering leaflets and information.

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