I WAS sorry to see in your report about Tilberthwaite Farm that the Wilkinsons were relinquishing their tenancy, but somewhat surprised at the implication that it is due to damage caused by 4x4 and motorcycles using the Unsurfaced County Road from Little Langdale which passes through their farmyard (Gazette, April 19, 'Farmers leave over damage').

It is true that this road has seriously deteriorated over the last years, but also true that this is due to the very severe weather events which have occurred, and absence of maintenance.

This sort of damage can be also seen on footpaths and bridleways, not used by recreational motor vehicles, all over the Lake District, though on many Definitive Rights of Way action by park authority staff and volunteers, Fix The Fells, and others, has now resulted in a high standard of repair.

Motor vehicles, and the very much higher numbers of walkers and mountain bikers on the roads in the Tilberthwaite/Little Langdale area, surely do contribute to their damage, but water is absolutely the main culprit.

The Lake District National Park Authority is taking the right approach by engaging in a non partisan assessment of route conditions, preparing with Cumbria Highways the correct repair and maintenance plan, conducting an objective study of the numbers of vehicles users, and seeking the opinion of the full spectrum of users and other interested parties.

When it reaches its conclusion, which will necessarily take significant time, Cumbria Trail Riders Fellowship, which represents those who wish to ride road legal motorcycles on unsurfaced road in Cumbria having motor vehicle rights, will continue to give the park authority their full support.

Steve Pighills

Rights of Way Officer, Cumbria TRF