Clamping down on illegal moors off-roading (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Clamping down on illegal moors off-roading

3:54pm Thursday 19th February 2009 in News

A SERIES of action days is under way, designed to clamp down on illegal and potentially dangerous off-road motoring in a National Park The North York Moors park authority has joined forced with North Yorkshire Police to offer advice to recreational riders and take enforcement action against law-breakers According to the park authority, the amount of illegal off-road activity on the moors has risen over the winter months.

The latest operation took place on Sunday, when police officers, park rangers and Forestry Commission staff spoke to 16 trail bikers and four 4x4 drivers.

They also gave advice to the parents of several children using mini quad bikes in a public place, seized an uninsured bike from a 15-year old rider and stopped a driver from tying an inflatable dinghy to the back of a 4x4 to tow people around a car park.

It is hoped a visible presence will help deter illegal off-roaders who are causing substantial damage to the moorland and its wildlife and are making some routes impassable for other users of the National Park.

The action days are part of an anti-social behaviour working group that meets regularly to tackle issues such as poaching, fly-tipping and illegal camping.

Richard Gunton, the National Park authority’s director of recreation and park management, said: "Illegal off-roading is ruining some areas of the North York Moors.

"The moorland is quite a fragile environment and off-road vehicles churn up the ground creating deep ruts that make it difficult for people to walk, cycle or ride along.

"It also disturbs livestock and nesting birds, destroys rare plants and flowers and can ruin visitors’ experiences of what is on the whole a tranquil area.

"There are routes in the National Park that people can use off-road vehicles and we would ask that people stick to these.

"We fully intend to take enforcement action against anyone found repeatedly riding or driving where they’re not supposed to."

The National Park authority has produced a guidance note for people wanting to ride trail bikes and other motorcycles off-road at moors.uk.net or by calling 01439-770657.