Sir, - Mr David Lovey says his attentions has been drawn to your lead story of April 19 regarding the abuse of green lanes, and presumably also my letter of April 26. Nobody needed to draw my attention to his letter (D&S, May 3) because I am a regular reader. Mr Lovey asks sarcastically if I am a new breed of sportsman who walks to his shoot, so has no need for new and intrusive roads No, more an old breed Mr Lovey; our vehicles all stop at the bottom of the moor and from then and until the end of the day we all walk.

As to the noise of shooting, it is trivial indeed compared to that of even one internal combustion engine, let alone the dozens a day the residents sometimes have to endure through the hamlet of Arkleside.

I am all for live and let live, but in a place such as the Dales National Park I do believe that in choosing between conflicting interests, peace and tranquillity should indeed have priority.

MARTIN B VALLANCE

Brompton Grange,

Brompton on Swale.

Sir, - I fear that the green lane debate is going to run and run, yet I do have to respond to Mr Newton's letter (D&S, May 17). Mr Newton makes the argument that this authority is out to limit the rights of a minority, the recreational four-wheel drive and trial bike riders who use the green lanes in the National Park.

But why has he voiced his concerns? His letter, along with others, comes at a time when this authority and North Yorkshire County Council are considering a trial to use experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) to restrict recreational four-wheel drive vehicles and motorbikes from using a handful of some 100 green lanes in the National Park.

The reason that we are promoting this trial is that we believe it is important that the experiences of the majority of people who use the green lanes for quiet recreation - the walkers, cyclists and horse riders - should be protected.

But importantly, if we do not try the use of TROs, we will never know if they are a solution to this increasing problem in the national park. For Mr Newton to prejudge a trial that is yet to happen is nonsense.

Mr Newton also makes the point that horse riders and cyclists are extremely poorly served, with access to a mere 10pc of the rights of way in the National Park. This is incorrect; they have access to all of the bridleways in the national park, which make up over 30pc of the rights of way network, and in addition have access to byways and unclassified roads. However, the activities of recreational motor vehicles are increasingly rendering these routes less accessible and enjoyable for horse riders, cyclists and walkers.

Mr Newton writes that recreational vehicles and trial bikes have access to only 3pc of the rights of way network. This is again incorrect, with the true figure closer to 10pc; but what he fails to mention is that car drivers and motorbike riders also have access to thousands of kilometres of metalled roads in the National Park. The money we spend on improving the footpaths, bridleways and byways, for which we have a responsibility, not only ensures that walkers, cyclists and horse riders can enjoy the countryside, it is also an investment in the rural economy and this area's tourist industry. We need to remember that peace and tranquillity is a major factor in attracting visitors to the Dales.

Mr Newton's argument is that we are set on denying a minority group their rights. However, where the minority are effectively spoiling the rights of the majority, we believe that it is right we do something about it.

JON AVISON

Head of park management, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority,

Hebden Road,

Grassington