A RADICAL campaign to stamp out harmful and illegal off road driving on pathways and fells has been launched to tackle the problem in Lake District trouble spots, reports Ruth Lythe.

Lake District National Park Authority officials say that, over the past year, the number of motorcyclists illegally going off road has risen dramatically, especially at Torver, in the Grizedale Forest and Woodland Valley areas.

Now, working in conjunction with police, off road organisations and local motorcycle dealers, the LDNPA is piloting a campaign called Ride Responsibly, which aims to rid the area of the problem.

Dave Robinson, Trails Adviser for The Lake District Park Authority, said that driving on footpaths, bridleways and across open fell, without the landowner's permission, was illegal. Not only were narrow footpaths and delicate wildlife at risk but that illegal off road driving also put walkers and horse riders in danger. However, it was legal to drive on by-ways that were open to all traffic and on unclassified roads, both of which were marked on OS maps.

He said: "If motorcyclists are using illegal routes, people out walking are not going to expect them to be there and there is the potential for an accident."

This message was reinforced by Penny Knock, Forestry Commission recreation manager.

She said: "We have had incidents of people having to jump out of the way of motorcycles. This scheme is part of the education process to give people a sense of off-road responsibility."

The campaign will be implemented at first as a pilot plan in the south western areas of the national park and will not only target motorcyclists but 4x4 drivers, and quad bikers.

Ride Responsibly flyers, poster and credit card-sized reminders urging motorists not to drive illegally off-road will be available from motorcycle dealers and organisers of trail events in the area.

The campaign aims to highlight the fact that rogue riders leave themselves open to prosecution and fines of up to £20,000, if they are caught. It also gives information about legitimate alternatives to illegal off road driving such as competitions.

Geoff Wilson, Northern Representative of The Land Access and Recreation Association (LARA), said that illegal off road driving was often down to ignorance rather than a deliberate wish to do harm.

He said: "Sometimes the rogue riders are local youngsters seeking a bit of fun, like two teenagers that I intercepted one afternoon on their unlicensed, uninsured motorcycles on the slopes of Coniston Old Man."

Motoring organisations are also keen to help get the message across not only to their members but to trail bikers.

Duncan Dixon, of the Cumbria Trail Biking Fellowship, said: "We aim to give members of the public information about where they can ride legally and where they can't so they can enjoy their past time without upsetting others."

For more information about the Ride Responsibly Scheme and the Cumbria Trail Biking Fellowship, call Duncan Dixon on 015395-33890.