I HAVE been a regular visitor to the Langdale area for more than 40 years and am dismayed that the Lake District National Park Authority has failed to put a stop to off-roading on the track over to High Tilberthwaite.

The scale of damage to the route is shocking. It is now to be repaired but this will not solve the problems of noise, fumes, danger and inconvenience to residents, walkers, horse riders and cyclists, or the degradation of the natural beauty of the area.

National park authorities have clear statutory duties. Their primary duty is to 'conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area'.

Other national park authorities have been quick to use Traffic Regulation Orders to deal with the damaging effects of off-roading.

In the Lake District the national park authority seems to be more concerned with protecting the rights of off-roaders, regardless of the damage they do, despite their own statutory duty, and, now, despite World Heritage Site status.

Patricia Stubbs

Chapel Stile and Sheffield