03/06/2010 by Simeon Orme.

 Gorbeck Road: One final push needed. Gorbeck Road has become an emblem of our campaign. ( For new members, its the superb green lane, now part of the Pennine Bridleway, that runs from Langcliffee to Langscar Gate, above Malham, from OS 830653 to 888649.) Last year, we thought that recreational motor vehicles had been permanently banished, by means of a traffic regulation order, but 4×4 and motorbike users took the National Park Authority to the High Court and succeeded in getting the order quashed, on a small technical point of law. The Park Authority has therefore reconsidered, from scratch, schemes for the management of this glorious green lane. At its meeting on 8 April, the Authority’s Access Committee (the body with the power to make traffic regulation orders) resolved that there should now be a fresh public consultation on a proposal to prohibit recreational vechicles from Gorbeck Road, 12 months a year, 7 days a week.

By now, YDGLA members will know what to do: a letter to the Park Authority is required. The last public consultation on Gorbeck Road produced a public response in favour of a TRO that was three times larger than the response from vehicle users who opposed it. But vechicles users have learned  their lesson: they are already mobilising their letter-writing forces. So we cannot afford to be complacent. Every YDGLA member must write, either as an individual or as the representative of the organisation affiliated to YDGLA expressing their view  that only a full-time TRO will do. Many vechicle users acknowledge that some sort of restriction on their activities is necessary. They will therefore write letters arguing for a limited, winter-only ban. It’s important that YDGLA members explain why they think that a seasonal ban is inadequate. Among the points that you might consider are these:

• Summers now tend to be as rainy as winters. Vehicular damage to grassland is likely to be as severe in August as it is in January. Damage inflicted in Summer will not heal during the winter. Grass will not re-grow, ruts will not vanish.
• The amenity of non-motorised recreational users, and the amenity of farmers, weighs heavier in the balance than the amenity of vehicles users who enjoy motoring along Gorbeck Road.
• The Pennine Bridleway, a national trail, should be free from vehicles.
• Peace and tranquillity are among the most precious qualities of the National Park. Recreational motor vehicles compromise it.

Write, straight away, to Mark Allum, YDNPA, Colvend, Hebden Road, Grassington, Skipton, BD23 5LB or e-mail him at Mark.Allum[at]yorkshiredales.org.uk

Full details of the proposed TRO will be found on the ‘green lanes management’ page of the Park Authority’s website at this link.

The above e-newsletter was forward to me by John Kemp the area secretary for Northern Peak and South Pennine Group. I would ask all Rough-Stuff Fellowship members and visitors  to this website to support Yorkshire Dales Green Lanes Alliance campaign and write a letter to the National Park Authority.

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19/04/2008 by Simeon Orme.

The Access Committee of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has decided to impose full-time Traffic Regulation Orders on the routes following a programme of full consultation. The Orders will reviewed after five years.

The eight routes that will be closed to recreational motor vehicles are:

• Street Gate to Arncliffe Cote.
• Stockdale Lane.
• Harber Scar Lane.
• The Highway.
• Gorbeck Road.
• Cam High Road (Far Gearstones to Cam Houses).
• Old Ing to Cam End (Ling Gill).
• Horton Scar Lane / Foxup Road.

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06/03/2008 by Simeon Orme.

In press release from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority dated 5th February 2008 are proposing that eight ‘green lanes’ could be subject of Traffic Regulation Orders, which would restrict their use by recreational motor vehicles.

The routes which would be affected by the proposed orders are:

• Gorbeck Road and Stockdale Lane between Settle and Malhamdale.
• Foxup road between Horton-in-Ribblesdale and Foxup
• The Cam High Road between Far Gearstones and Cam Houses and a connecting route to Old Ings.
• Street Gate near Malham Tarn to Arncliffe Cote.
• Harber Scar Lane between Horton-in-Ribblesdale and High Green Field.
• The High Way between Cotterdale and Hell Gill Bridge.

The South Lakes, Lancashire and North Peak & North Pennine Groups of the Rough-Stuff Fellowship welcome and support the proposed Traffic Regulations Orders.

Personally I welcome any Traffic Regulations Orders which cut the use of 4 x 4  on tracks which should be explore by pedal power or on two feet or by horse back.

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