AN ELDERLY resident of Little Langdale has spoken out against the use of a quiet track by four-wheel drives and motorbikes.

Mary Shaw, 78, of Lowe Birk Howe, is concerned that the stoney track, known as Birch Hill, which links the villages of Elterwater and Little Langdale, could become polluted with the sound of revving engines and the smell of diesel fumes.

The Lake District National Park Authority has included the track in the Hierarchy of Trails experiment, which the authority claims will enable it to monitor the use of tracks more closely.

Mrs Shaw, who has lived in the area for many years, said: "It really is a lovely track for walkers, a very peaceful place which is very much used by families because it is nice easy walking.

"As part of the Hierarchy of Trails experiment, signs have been put up at the bottom of the track recommending that four-wheel drives limit their numbers to four in a group and motorcyclists to a top limit of six."

Mrs Shaw fears the signs could encourage more vehicles to use the route.

"The track is not heavily used by motorbikes or four-wheel drives, because until they put these notices up I don't think they would have thought to use it.

But the route is heavily used by walkers, I would say at least 100 people over a weekend.

This is a conflict of interests."

Mrs Shaw is urging people to write to the LDNPA in order to protect Birch Hill.

She said: "I am nearly 80 years old - this is not for me, it is about future generations."