OFF road vehicles are to be banned from one of the Lake District's highest and most contentious routes Gatesgarth Pass for four months of the year.

The 4x4 ban is part of a new management scheme designed to regulate vehicle use on the four-mile stretch between the Longsleddale and Mardale valleys and to protect the pass.

Following a public inquiry in December 2002, the high-level route has been managed by an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order that expires in November.

Under the ETRO 16 4x4s and 24 motorcycles could apply for a pass to use the route once a month.

The new scheme will see 4x4s banished from the route between December and March during the periods of the worst weather. The rest of the year up to 12 4x4s and 18 motorcycles will be able to use the path once a month.

Trails Advice manager for the Lake District National Park Authority Dave Robinson said the new management plan had been supported by both the Gatescarth Working Group and the Trail Management Advisory Group which include 4x4 users.

"We do not anticipate any objections. Land Aaccess and Recreation Association and a local four-wheel drive group have been involved in the 18-month experiment and the proposals. We have carried out an awful lot of work to get it right."

However, managing director of Windermere's 4x4 driving school KANKKU Nick Fieldhouse disagreed.

"The national park has excluded us from using the pass because we have to fit in with their timetable. They present it as if they're managing the pass when really it's just a way of preventing us from using it."

Mr Fieldhouse, who has not taken clients out on the pass since February 2002, added: "Few commercial users are applying to use Gatesgarth Pass because it's open on one set day a month," he said. "People who book off road trips do it when it fits in with them, not the national park."

A report written by Mr Robinson stated that, during the 18-month period, the route had recovered from all but the heaviest of 4x4 impact adding that demand to use the route had been unexpectedly low.

"The ETRO has shown that the monthly suspension of use allows Gatesgarth to recover well. Also demand has been low for permits from both motorcycles and 4x4s users."

The report found that of a maximum 320 vehicles (128 motorcycles and 192 4x4s) allowed on the eight permit days, only 143 (74 motorcycles and 69 4x4s) applied for a permit.

Mr Robinson also added that the route had been targeted by vandals on several occasions last year, including an "obscene" marker pen message aimed at LDNPA members. On several occasions an infra-sensor designed to count walkers had been vandalised.

Other points included in the management plan, which can be reviewed each year, include: l monthly route condition surveys before and after each permit day; l repairs on Mardale side; l retaining a monthly permit system for horses.

Closing for repair and regeneration ONE of the Lake District's most popular routes for motorbikes and 4x4s is being closed to vehicles for up to six months to allow vital repairs on Garburn Pass.

Linking the Troutbeck and Kentmere valleys, the dual status bridleway and unclassified country road is to see a major programme of drainage work and surface restoration, which starts from October 11.

The Lake District National Park Authority has received more complaints about vehicles on this trail than on any other route. Concerns fall into four categories, according to LDNPA trails adviser Dave Robinson: l High levels of use and failing to comply with voluntary restraints for 4x4s.

l Sustainability of the route surface.

l Unauthorised motorbike scrambling in Trou-tbeck Quarries.

l Vehicles using bridleways.

"Because of this, we have developed management proposals for Garburn to tackle all these problems," explained Mr Robinson. "One of these was to carry out a major programme of repairing drainage and renovating the surface at the top Kentmere side."

Extensive restoration includes new ditches, water bars, repairing culverts and ditches. Badly eroded sections of the surface will be repaired and filled. The work will take six to eight weeks to complete, but the route will remain closed until March to allow the area to consolidate and recover.

"Although Garburn is only closed to vehicles, we would expect walkers, horse-riders and mountain bikers to exercise care while work is progressing and during the winter months, to help the new surface stabilise," added Mr Robinson.

"Think about a wet weather alternative, or be prepared to get off your bike or horse to minimise disturbance," he advised.

Cumbria County Council has issued a Traffic Regulation Order, allowing the six-month closure to become operational from October 11.