The Lake District’s world heritage site status could be at risk due to the destruction caused by off-road vehicles.
World Heritage Watch’s recently published 2021 report accuses the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) of ignoring calls from scientists, environmentalists and heritage organisations to protect the fells from damage by 4x4s.
The Lakes’ network of unsurfaced rural tracks, known as green lanes, is attracting an increasing number of motorists from across Europe prompting the report to call for a monitoring mission to be sent by UNESCO. Traffic levels are at a record high for the three green lanes where official data is collected.
At least 18 tracks were categorised as vulnerable to off-road vehicles by the LDNPA, including the Old Coach Road from Dockray to Threlkeld, Gatescarth Pass at the southern end of Haweswater and Breasthigh road between Bretherdale and the A6.
The report’s author, Fritz Groothues, wrote: “The damage done to the Lake District’s outstanding universal value by off-road motor vehicles is continuing to increase, impacting in particular its agro-pastoral heritage and tranquillity.
“That the national park authority should allow this to happen in a world heritage site is a breach of its commitment to protect the integrity of the Lake District.”
In response, LDNPA set up an independently chaired group, consisting of parish councils, Cumbria Local Access Forum and other partners to provide a collaborative solution to the problem.
Known as the Tilberthwiate Partnership Management Group it has now met twice.
Campaigners for the Green Lane Alliance said that the group’s membership was skewed in favour of off-road motorists, had a small geographic focus and did not offer genuine action.
Steve Ratcliffe, director of sustainable development for LDNPA, said: “We are in continuing dialogue with ICOMOS and the World Heritage Centre, via the State Party to ensure all understand accurately what has been undertaken to date and the monitoring in place.”
The presence of vehicles from other countries shows that the Lake District has become a destination of choice for off-road drivers from across Northern Europe, according to the report.
