Off-roaders drive walkers off greenlane [26 April 2004]
A right of way in an area of outstanding natural beauty inside the Yorkshire
Dales National Park has become a no-go area for walkers because of extreme
damage to the route caused by recreational off-roading.
The route, known locally as Occupation Road and running from High Moss in the
east to South Lords Land in the west crossing the fells above the village of
Dent and the picturesque valley of Dentdale, has been so badly damaged by off-roading
that in places it is impassable on foot. Stretches of the worst damage run for
several hundred meters and are up to 20 feet wide.
Lake or footpath? - Occupation road above Dentdale
One walker who knows the route well commented, "This path has motorised rights
on it, but it is often very wet even in dry weather and totally unsuitable for
motorised traffic. It is unbelievable that you can get away with this sort of
vandalism inside a National Park. Even if you could, would you want cycle or
walk down it in this condition?"
Paul Bell from the Ramblers' Association said, "I've walked in this area all my
life and this is the worst damage I've ever seen to a right of way in the area.
It shows the wanton disregard that off-roaders have for other users, they have
used this lane inappropriately and now large sections of it are little better
than a swamp. Walking is an integral part of the rural economy in Dentdale,
there is even a footpath linking this route to Dent village. I'm aware that
several walking groups have decided to avoid walking this right of way, which is
bound to have a knock-on effect for local businesses."
The Ramblers' Association is part of a coalition of outdoor, landowning,
environmental, heritage and disability groups who are concerned by the
destruction of historically and environmentally important rights of way in the
countryside by recreational off-roading.
Find out
more information about our Greenlanes Campaign