Campaign group drives off-road opposition

COUNTRYSIDE campaigners in the Peak District are encouraging people to take part in a public consultation on banning 4x4s and off-road vehicles from two tracks inside the national park.

The Peak District Green Lanes Alliance (PDGLA) is urging members of the public to join the debate on the future of Long Causeway, the historic byway which links Redmires with Stanage Edge and Hathersage, and The Roych, a 3.5km stretch of the Pennine Bridleway near Chapel-en-le-Frith.

The public consultation on introducing traffic regulation orders (TROs) on the routes, which would make them illegal for drivers, trail bikers and quad bikers to use, runs until Friday November 2.

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PDGLA chairman Patricia Stubbs said: “We are asking Sheffield’s walkers and horse riders and everyone else in the city who cares about the national park to support the Peak park authority in its efforts to restore peace and tranquillity to the Stanage Edge area and make Long Causeway safe for walkers, horse riders and cyclists.

“Off-roaders from all over the UK are taking part in the consultation objecting to the exclusion order.

“We would like everyone in Sheffield who wants to see Long Causeway protected to contact the Peak Park in support of the ban.”

Members of the Peak District National Park Authority have made the proposals due to “damage” to the areas, as well as the effect on walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

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Councillor Garry Purdy said: “Both routes are very popular and cross some of the most environmentally-sensitive areas of the national park.

“These proposals follow a lengthy period of monitoring and attempts to manage vehicle use on the routes.

“We’re proposing these traffic regulation orders to safeguard what people value most about these areas, but we want to hear everyone’s views and will make a final decision in the light of all the evidence and feedback.”

Those who wish to take part in the public consultation can look at further details of the proposals on the Peak District National Park Authority website – www.peakdistrict.gov.uk.

The documents can also be seen at the authority’s headquarters at Aldern House on Baslow Road in Bakewell.

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