Yorkshire Dales Green Lanes Alliance

YDGLA, Civic Centre, Cross Green, Otley, LS21 1HD.

ydgla@mail.com

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Campaigning to free the green lanes from off-roaders

Mastiles Lane
Campaigning to stop this…….. ……being turned into this.

WHAT ARE GREEN LANES?

Green lanes is a term that has no legal significance, but it is very useful for grouping together various sorts of tracks that traverse the Dales landscape. These tracks may be recorded on Ordnance Survey maps as bridleways, as unclassified tracks, or even as footpaths. What is common to them is that they are 'unsealed' - they have no tarmac surface, and are often simply grass tracks winding across heather moorland. Many green lanes are medieval in origin. A few are Roman. Their original purpose was to provide routes across the Dales for farmers, drovers, pack-horses and horse-drawn carts. Obviously, they were never designed with modern motor traffic in mind, but because of the peculiarities of highway law, if a horse and cart legally used a green lane 2 centuries ago, a convoy of motor bikes and 4 wheel drive vehicles can use it today.

WHAT ARE OFF-ROADERS?

Off-roaders are those who take advantage of archaic highway laws in order to drive 4x4s and motorbikes, for fun, along the ancient green lanes. Off-roader numbers are rapidly rising, and the damage and nuisance that they are causing can be seen and heard throughout the Dales. The noise and pollution associated with motor traffic is now regularly encountered miles from the tarmac, in the remotest parts of the National Park. Off-roading destroys the fragile surfaces of the lanes, and disturbs the peace and tranquillity that is essential to the character of the National Park and the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A precious part of the Dales heritage is being wrecked.

WHAT IS THE YORKSHIRE DALES GREEN LANES ALLIANCE (YDGLA)?

The YDGLA was set up in 2002 with the aim of bringing together all those who want to see an end to off-roading in the Dales National Park and the Nidderdale AONB. Already its membership includes ·

  • Farmers
  • Fell Runners
  • Bed-and-breakfast proprietors
  • Landowners
  • Game-keepers
  • Walkers
  • Naturalists
  • Cyclists
  • Archaeologists
  • Rock Climbers
  • Cavers
  • Horse-riders

And many more.
Many MPs and Parish Councils have expressed their support.

WHAT ARE THE ALLIANCE'S AIMS?

To campaign for the imposition of Traffic Regulation Orders prohibiting off-roaders from using the Dales green lanes, and to campaign for amendments to highway law. Taking a vehicle, for the purpose of fun, on to a green lane should be an offence.