Trail bike riders accused of damaging Tarn Hill near Broughton

Photos sent to this publication showed trail bike riders racing up and down the side of a fell leaving tyre marks in the grass. 

A reader said this was on the Broughton Mills side of Tarn Hill, one of the fells between Ulpha and Broughton Mills. The reader said that this happened on the weekend of April 15.

The reader, who asked not to be credited, said: "A group of trail bike riders destroying our fells last weekend. They were obviously not out for a nice ride in the sunshine, they rode through peat bogs and trashed a steep slope."

The reader accused the riders of 'destroying our fells' (Image: Newsquest)

The activity would have been legal if the riders were on the fell with the landowner's permission, or if it was on an unclassified unsealed road, known as Green Lanes or Byways Open to All Traffic. Often these lanes are in places where hikers would not expect to find vehicles, however, the rider must not veer from the lane itself. 

Despite this, the campaign group Friends of the Lake District opposes the use of motor vehicles for recreation both in the fells or on green lanes. The group aims to protect the landscape of the Lake District. 

The riders approaching the slope (Image: Newsquest)

Policy officer Laura Partington said the group opposes this 'on the grounds of disturbance of peace and tranquility and damage to the biodiversity'

She said: "Tranquility is one of the special qualities of the Lake District with opportunities for people to quietly enjoy the landscape and cultural heritage away from traffic.

"This activity is damaging to the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Lake District, whilst also negatively affecting people’s enjoyment of the landscape." 

Ms Partington said any illegal activity should be reported to the Lake District Park Authority or to the ranger for that area. 

She said: "Photographs can be sent as evidence but we would only encourage people to take photographs if it is safe to do so. People should not put themselves at risk or approach anyone carrying out illegal activity."