Strategy on track for off-roaders

Off-roading has run into criticism for its effect on the countryside

A network of legitimate routes for off-roaders is being planned in the Cambrian Mountains, say officials.

Police and councils say illegal off-roading and excessive use of rights of way is damaging the countryside.

One off-roaders' group has welcomed the move, but it has been criticised by the chairman of a charity responsible for a 42,000-acre estate in mid Wales.

The Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) is working with Ceredigion, Powys and Carmarthenshire councils on the scheme.

The CCW and the councils said the mountains had been used by off-roaders for many years

The scheme will be called the Cambrian Mountains Pilot Project.

In a report they said: "The area appears to have experienced increased vehicular use in recent years, and this may be related in part to the steps being taken by national parks authorities in England to actively manage such uses.

"There has previously not been a strategic approach to the use of motorised recreational vehicles in the Cambrian Mountains, and therefore route maintenance and enforcement has been dealt with in an ad hoc way by Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys county councils.

Glyndwr's Way in Powys was churned up by off-roaders in 2005

"An opportunity has arisen for a strategic approach to be adopted through funding from the CCW, for which the primary objective of this approach is to identify a network of sustainable vehicular routes that could be promoted."

But the report warned that sensitive sites had to be protected and surveys carried out and an action plan drawn up.

Myrddin Pynn, secretary of West Wales 4x4 Group, said: "We legitimately use tracks, but there is a rogue element, known as cowboys to off-roaders, who are giving the rest of us a bad name.

'Anti-social'

"If this plans goes ahead it will boost the local economy."

John Evans, chairman of the Elan Valley Trust, which is responsible for the flora and fauna on the Elan estate, said off-roaders had been banned from using an ancient track on the estate after it was damaged.

He added: "There seems to be a complete contradiction between CCW's scientists stressing the value of soil as an environmental tool, and CCW's access people talking about 'sustainable' use of off-road recreational vehicles in the Cambrian Mountains."

Sgt Peter Charleston, wildlife and environmental crime officer with North Wales Police, said illegal off-roading was a huge problem throughout Wales.

"It's not just the anti-social aspect of the act, but also the damage to the landscape and protected areas like sites of special scientific interest," he added.

Powys Council said "excessive use by off-road drivers" was damaging some of Wales' most scenic rights of way making them virtually unusable for walkers and riders.

It said vehicles had caused so much damage to parts of Glyndwr's Way, a national trail, that Powys Council had in the past been forced to close a section of it.