In 2007 we received an application to record the route as a Byway Open to all Traffic. We assessed all the evidence we had concluded that the route should be a restricted byway (for all traffic except motorised vehicles). We made an order for this.

After objections were made and further evidence received, an independent inspector appointed by the Secretary of State decided  that the route was a Byway Open to All Traffic - including motor vehicles.

On 15th June 2010 the route again became available for all traffic.

Following an appeal to the High Court, the inspector’s decision has been quashed, mainly because of some procedural irregularities at the Planning Inspectorate causing potential  unfairness to one of the parties involved, and the whole process must start again.

This leaves us in the position where we effectively have to begin the process all over again, and we expect to take a report to our rights of way committee in January 2011.

The main issue that will determine wheather the right of way should be correctly shown as Byway Open to all Traffic (BOAT), or as a Restricted Byway are the point in time at which vehicular rights were established.

If they were established through usage by public horse and carts or bicycles before the first motorised usage, then it is most likely that the route will be a restricted byway. If the right was created through motorbike and motor car usage between about 1917 and 1930, then it could well be a BOAT.

If you have any information on this or any other relevant evidence that you have not already sent me, then I would be very glad to receive copies. Any evidence already submitted will be on our files and will be taken into account if relevant.

Please note that the desirability of vehicles in the fells will not form part of the decision making process, and neither will suitability or otherwise of the route. The matter will be determined solely on what public rights exist.

I look forward to hearing from you before end of September, as I hope to be preparing the report to committee soon after then.

Yours faithfully

Nick Thorne, Access & Rights of Way Officer, Lake District National Park Authority, Murley Moss, Oxenholme Road, Kendal, LA9 7RL

The above letter was forward to me by RSF member Matt Hodges the saga of the Walna Scar Road as be going on for number of years now if you have evidence please forward it to Nick Thorne at the above address or e-mail him at Nick.Thorne[at]lakedistrict.gov.uk Hopefully come next year the Walna Scar Road will be turn into Restricted Byway.

This year’s Kendal torchlight will be headed by a spectacular cycle parade.

Everyone is invited - the only proviso is you must have a bike! We want as many cyclists, families, kids and everyone else to turn up with their bike… so tell everyone you know!

Our colour theme for the Torchlight Procession is Red and Gold. Please wear similar colours to make more of an impact, but if you can’t dont worry - turn up anyway.

If you have a wacky bike - bring it along! The wackier the better. If you can decorate your bike - great! Look through the SLACC Blog for some great ideas on decorating your bike.

Meet us 6.45pm at Kendal Leisure Centre, Friday, September 10th. Any questions please ring Ruth or Lorna on 01539 822165

Graham Plumbe, Vice Chairman of GLPC said “These off-road vehicles have been a nuisance since they first started hill climbing competitively in 1917 and have few supporters locally. This is an important fell pass, used extensively by walkers to access Coniston Old Man. Sorting out the question of rights has been a battle since the law was radically changed in May 2006, but the position now is that the track is a bridleway and motorised use can be prosecuted by the police. The National Park will have to make new order in due course but, given the amount of historical evidence that has been gathered, it is now extremely unlikely that motor vechicles will gain acceptance in the future. It is understood that special arrangements for Coniston Mountain Rescue Team can be made”.

Above is a press release from Green Lanes Protection Group which was e-mail to me today.

For those wanting a longer ride on tomorrow South Lakes Group ride to Semmer Water, I shall be leaving my van at the free car park in High Bentham and will meet anyone who wants join me for a ride over to Horton-in-Ribbledale to start of the South Lakes Group ride at 8.45am. Above is photo from last week’s South Lakes Group ride to Gigglewswick, you can see rest of the photos at this link.

We thought that we would be few on the ground due to illness and holidays but in the event we had a good turnout, though we were outnumbered by visiting members from other groups! The Macclesfield Old Road out of Buxton is steep and stony and for most of us it meant a walk. As usual I was the last to breast the summit for I find walking not easy these days! A pleasent descent to Derbyshire Bridge was followed by a climb to the 1700 foot high Cat and Fiddle where we took a short rest. The one and a half mile bridleway across the moor to the A54 is an easy and pleasant track. A mile along the A54 we took a lane and bridleway to pass some walkers. However we were soon re-passed by them as we sttruggled down the steep, rocky and sandy track to arrive at Three Shires Head. This is an idyllic and popular spot where we stopped to take photos.The track from here is not steep but deep sand and stones make it difficult to ride until it approaches Hawk’s Nest. From here thebridleway is a difficult deeply entrenched and narrow defile dropping through woods to a ford before climbing to meet the tarmac. The road for most of us was a very steep walk to Flash - at over 1500′ the highest village in England. We passed the pub and continued to the recently open cafe at Flash Bar. Three hours had passed and we had covered little more than eight miles. In the old days we could have run it quicker, but alas no more! After  lunch we pased along Axe Edge to take a most pleasent green bridleway which descends beside a tributary of the infant Dove. Reaching Fairthorn we climbed over the ridge to take another grassy bridleway which took us over the moor before descending toHarpur Hill. Here the weather forecast proved correct. The predicted heavey shower arrived and we were forced to shelter under a railway bridge before making a rapid return to the start. Not many miles - a toughish morning,  an easier afternoon - but quality views and company!

John Kemp

To see the rest of photos of the ride click this link.

The weather forecast today predicted heavy showers, however we were quite lucky, most of them by-passed us, althrough we could see them passing in the distance. We started by riding up to Monubent Head and then took the bridleway of the same name down to Forest Becks, I had never before seen this track so dry. Then it was back onto the tarmac for the next leg to Long Preston and the track over Hunter Bark to Settle. Our group was quite large today, so we split up to use several of the many cafes in the town, the one I chose wanted £6.40 for a cheese sandwich. I declined and went elsewhere.

Leaving Settle we crossed the A65, towards Craven Ridge and the track beside Scoutber Crag. Just as we began the climb I mentioned to Ken Glaze that when I originally asked for permisson to use this private road from the farmer, it transpired that Ken had been at the school with his wife, who hailed from Hilldale. So, as we passed the farm I re-introduced them, small World!

We then climbed Hensley Hill to Tosside, and took afternoon tea at the Whelpstone Cafe. Unfortunately we caught a hefty shower on the four mile descent back to Bolton-by-Bowland, but Idon’t think this detracted too much from today’s thirty mile ride. Another good day of fellowship, with the Fellowship. Thank you all for your excellent company.

Brian Parkinson

You can checkout the rest of the ride photos at this link.

Peter and Simeon following the bridleway to Bannisdale High Bridge, photo taken by Paul Revell.

Peter crossing over Ashstead Beck, photo taken by Paul Revell.

Ian using the footbridge to cross over Ashstead Beck, photo taken by Paul Revell.

A photo of Simeon using the footbridge to cross over Ashstead Beck, photo taken by Paul Revell.

It alway great to see photos taken by other members of the South Lakes Group, you can see the rest of photos of the ride taken by your webmaster at this link.

You can hear the talk on the BBC listen again until next Monday at this link.

It is a three hour show but the cycling part starts about 2 hours 23 minutes in to the show and continues with short interruptions for news items right up to the end. Do listen to all of it as some of the best bits are right at the end.

The above was e-mail to me by RSF member Matt Hodges

Further options for the Lancashire Group on the 9th September, from Slaidburn to the Gisburn Forest and Tosside. There will be opportunity to stay at Kings House Hostel (YHA), at Slaidburn on Wednesday the 8th and Thursday the 9th September for those wanting to ride to, and from the event. We intend to meet at the Fairfield Tea Room at Osbaldeston, on the A59 (Longsight Road), for lunch at noon on Wednesday the 8th of September, but feel free to ride to the hostel independently if you so wish. Please contact Brian on 01254-772983 if you would like him to book your accommodation or  want more details.

Above photo is a close up of the coffee cake that I had at the Cafe in the Forest at Grizedale Forest Visitor Centre where we stop for our afternoon brew, you can see the rest of the ride photos at this link.