The Tilberthwaite Road track in the Lake District. Photo: Chris Heaton CC-BY-SA-2.0
Campaigners have launched an appeal to raise cash for a judicial review of Lake District bosses’ decision not to introduce protective orders on two unsurfaced tracks in the national park.
The Green Lanes Environmental Action Movement aims to reach its target of £40,000 towards the legal process.
The group is supporting the Campaign to Save Langdale Green Lanes to contest the decision of the national park authority not to use traffic regulation orders on the two routes between Tilberthwaite and Little Langdale.
The authority’s rights of way committee decided in October to leave Tilberthwaite Road and High Oxen Fell Road as they are, and form a group with interested parties to monitor use of the former and its condition.
The National Trust, Ramblers, Save the Lake District Campaign and Friends of the Lake District pressed the committee to introduce a traffic order that would have prevented recreational 4×4s and trail bikes using the routes, which run between the A593 Coniston road and Little Langdale.
Gleam chairman Dr Michael Bartholomew said: “This is a crucial case for anyone who cares about the beauty and tranquillity of the Lake District, which is not only a national park but a world heritage site.
“The [Lake District National Park Authority] is refusing to protect one of the most beautiful places in England from intrusion and damage by motor vehicles and it is doing so despite a petition signed by over 350,000 people and clear evidence that TROs are needed on both tracks.
“Not only Lake District residents but the wider public have been dismayed by LDNPA’s decision. We think the decision was unlawful.
“We have taken counsel’s opinion and we are now inviting the public to help us get the decision quashed. Anyone wanting to help us can go to our CrowdJustice funding page.”
Since 2006, national park authorities have had the power to introduce TROs to control or exclude recreational motor vehicles from unsealed tracks. Reasons include motor vehicle use being unsuitable for the character of the road; conserving or enhancing the natural beauty of the area; and preserving or improving the amenities of the area through which the road runs.
Gleam estimates it needs a total of £60,000 to bring the judicial review to court.
SteveHiker
19 December 2019I am so disheartened by these selfish groups harassing and discriminating against such a minority group. Don’t we all have equal right to enjoy the park? Whatever that form may take? I object to boats being visible on the lakes as it ruins the wild character- but I’m grownup enough to recognise those involved aren’t seeking to ruin my view, just have a good time themselves. Respect is sadly missing from certain people’s personalities. Access is so limited to these green laners, can we not allow them some space to enjoy the park. So long as they act responsibly , I think we should all be able to get along.
Joe Paige
20 December 2019Absolutely right Sir!
Never mind pandering to these beardy tree hugger types, what the Lake District needs is more noise, more pollution, more theme parks!!!
Let's install a few filling stations along the way, selling essentials like shotgun cartridges for when one spies a Golden Eagle or two.
We can franchise Halfords to open a branch on top of Helvellyn selling "Bung bars" for Landys (named due to the noise they make when they caress hikers).
Submarine training in Windermere and Ullswater will soon put pay to that boat infestation you mention.
Any other business you wish to discuss Mr Leafe, erm Mr Hiker?
Rod Hepplewhite
20 December 2019Well said Joe Paige, shame on you SteveHiker.
You only have to read the letter (Cumbria magazine, December issue of Lakeland Walker magazine November/December issue) from Bill Birkett, resident of Little Langdale, Lakeland born & bred and renowned climber, walker and author of books and magazine articles about the Lake Distrct's great outdoors, to understand why a TRO is required on the two green lanes mentioned.
Fell walkers put their hands in their pockets to support and actively participate in path repairs. Has anyone heard of 4x4 drivers or off-road motor cyclists doing the same for the green lanes (not just the two mentioned) to repair the damage their vehicles cause? No, neither have I. The stupid thing is, the green lanes will get to the point when even 4x4s and scrambler bikes will no longer be able to use them. Not that these selfish people will see the error of their ways, or care, they'll just find somewhere else to ruin.
Timbo
20 December 2019"Has anyone heard of 4x4 drivers or off-road motor cyclists doing the same for the green lanes" Rob Hepplethwaite your are not looking hard enough for your evidence. Here's a case not a million miles away from Little Langdale https://laragb.org/uncategorized/cumbria-the-old-coach-road/
If there was serious damage happening to these routes, caused by vehicles, the TRO would have been implemented.
I'm not an all terrain vehicle driver but I'm happy for those that are to continue to use their legal right to drive these routes.
Timbo
20 December 2019"Has anyone heard of 4x4 drivers or off-road motor cyclists doing the same for the green lanes" Rob Hepplethwaite your are not looking hard enough for your evidence. Here's a case not a million miles away from Little Langdale https://laragb.org/uncategorized/cumbria-the-old-coach-road/
If there was serious damage happening to these routes, caused by vehicles, the TRO would have been implemented.
I'm not an all terrain vehicle driver but I'm happy for those that are to continue to use their legal right to drive these routes.
I'll not be contributing to this campaign to line lawyer's pockets.
Colin
20 December 2019No you may not expect any kind of respectful, mature discussion, or attempt at compromise. Only misinformation, othering, and sarcasm apparently.
Roland Greenhead
25 December 2019One day the entire countryside will be off limits to the horrid working classes and their motorbikes and 4x4. It's time only nice educated people with values like mine were allowed to enjoy the fells.
Dave Lamont
25 December 2019Steve Hiker objects to "discrimination" and asks "Don't we all have the right to enjoy the park, whatever that form may take?"
Where is the discrimination? The same restrictions apply to all of us in equal measure. Most non-destructive or non-disruptive activities are ok but there are some that are not and the restrictions on these apply to everyone.
The particular problem with motor vehicles, apart from the obvious disturbance, is that they are much more prone to breaking up trail surfaces, allowing water in and promoting deep gullying.
The idea that all forms of enjoyment should be permitted is absurd; these are sensitive places which recover only very slowly, and a certain amount of regulation is required in order to limit deterioration of the very environment that we all value.
Vicky
29 July 2020I dispute that MPV's are driven by the working classes. Many of them are rich men's playthings driven by fully liveried "born again warriors" wearing expensive gear. I do not think that they have the right to enjoy themselves to the detriment of the majority.
The National Parks were created for the "quiet enjoyment" of the countryside, to allow people to experience the fresh the air and natural beauty away from urban pollution and noise.
The damage to the routes is just one aspect of the problem of allowing public access for MPV's on Green Lanes. Private Vehicular use for those managing the land is a different matter.
Britain is increasingly built up with roads and cities constantly expanding.
Leave the MPV where it belongs on the already extensive road network and let others enjoy some clean space in the environment free from intimidation by selfish people bringing their noisy, polluting vehicles to destroy the increasingly rare peaceful places that this country still has to offer.
You can hear and smell the pollution from these vehicles for miles and they not only affect the routes they drive on. This is an imposition on other park users who just want to experience a clean, quiet natural environment.
It is time everyone wised up to the increasingly fragile environment pressured by climate change and a large population with bigger and more destructive toys. These routes were designed for horse drawn vehicles at best.
It is a shame we have to resort to a High Court Campaign to line lawyers pockets because the National Park Authority will not fulfill their remit in protecting the natural environment from increasing pressure.