OFF-ROAD driving enthusiasts have overturned a ban on vehicles using green lanes in the Yorkshire Dales.
The High Court has quashed four traffic regulation orders placed by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA). The decision means the lanes are to re-open to 4x4s and trail bikes after they were banned last year.
The Land Access Recreation Association (Lara) and two individuals challenged eight of 13 banning orders.
After a two-day hearing in Leeds, the court decided that vehicles should be permitted on four of the eight routes.
Geoff Wilson, one of the claimants, last night welcomed the decision by His Honour Judge Behrens.
Mr Wilson accused the national park authority of showing “arrogance” and a “lack of objectivity” over the issue.
He said: “Throughout the long and often complex process adopted by the YDNPA, myself, along with others, have sought to persuade the authority to adopt a more inclusive and evidencebased approach.
“However, in my view it was a combination of underlying arrogance and lack of objectivity on the part of park authority officers and committee members that resulted in them falling foul of the errors identified in the judgement.
“We told them that they were wrong, and why, but they just would not listen.”
YDNPA became the first authority in the country to use new powers to issue the orders, claiming the routes were being damaged by off-roaders.
Dr Malcolm Petyt, the authority’s recreation member champion, said: “The authority was always aware that any orders it made to restrict motorised vehicular use of green lanes were likely to be challenged by recreational motor vehicle users. Special care was taken to deal with the matter on the correct legal and procedural basis so we are disappointed with this decision.”
The campaign group claimed that the case has cost the park authority £50,000.
In response, Jon Avison, YDNPA head of park management, said: “We do not yet know what the costs are and it is worth pointing out that we did not bring the action – it was brought against us by Lara.”
The routes to re-open are: Gorbeck Road and Stockdale Lane, between Settle and Malhamdale; Street Gate near Malham Tarn to Arncliffe Cote and Harber Scar Lane, between Horton-in-Ribblesdale and High Green Field.
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