Northumberland National Park Authority has become the latest authority to take action to prevent irresponsible off-roading. A motorbike action group has been formed to tackle the growing problem of irresponsible and sometimes illegal use of rights of way in the Cheviots.
The Cheviots is an area of outstanding natural beauty, and the Cheviots Management Group is sending out a strong message that the irresponsible use of bikes will not be tolerated.
Police have been carrying out patrols in the Coquet and Rede Valleys and have stopped, checked and prosecuted a number of motorcyclists whose bikes were found to be illegal.
Rob Mayhew, Team Leader for Access and Recreation, Northumberland National Park Authority, said, "Northumberland National Park is a special place which is there for all to enjoy and we are not trying to stop legitimate responsible motorcyclists from enjoying the special qualities of the area. What we do object to are those motorcyclists who behave irresponsibly, worry livestock, damage the surface of tracks and put their own lives and the lives of others at risk. "
"There are few off-road routes in the Cheviots and most do not have a surface that is sustainable for sustained motorbike use, bearing in mind that cyclists, horse riders and walkers also use these routes."
PC Keith Restall, Upper Coquetdale Community Liaison Officer, said, "We want motorcyclists to know that the Cheviots is being watched and we will not tolerate law breakers. The offences we have found people committing during these recent patrols include driving without insurance and licence and driving bikes which are not in an appropriate condition."
The clampdown in Northumberland NP comes at time when the Government is considering restricting access to the countryside for recreational off-road vehicles. A coalition of landowner, non-motorised user and environmental organisations, including the Ramblers, is arguing that the physical and environmental damage caused by increasing numbers of off-roaders to tracks designed for horse and cart is on longer appropriate.
Find out more about the off-road debate
