AN ANCIENT Lake District route has been ruled ‘out of bounds’ to motor vehicles after years of debate.

A Government inspector has ruled that Garburn Pass, between Troutbeck and Kentmere, becomes a ‘restricted byway’ – making it a criminal offence for owners of vehicles such as 4x4s and motorbikes to use it.

Nick Fieldhouse, owner of off-road driving company Kankku, likened the ruling to the 10 mile-per-hour speed restriction on Windermere.

“They’re both very negative and that’s the trouble with bans like these – it means the job of promoting areas, and keeping hotels and B&Bs busy, is made that little bit harder,” he said.

Richard Greenwood, head of policy and research for Cumbria Tourism, said: “Cumbria is the UK’s adventure capital, and we are naturally disappointed to see any reduction in the opportunities for visitors to enjoy high adrenalin activities in the area’s spectacular surroundings.

“However, there is a need to find a reasonable balance between respecting the Lake District National Park environment and offering viable tourism experiences.”

The inspector went through hundreds of documents regarding access to the pass, ranging from maps in 1822, guide books of the 1880s, and photographs of motorbikes using the pass in the 1920s.

Welcoming the ruling Judith Moore, policy officer at conservation charity Friends of the Lake District, said: “We’re very pleased. It’s taken a lot of time and the right result has come about.

“I think this is important on several fronts, one of which is that walkers, horse riders and cyclists are now able to enjoy this route with peace and tranquillity, which is the reason they go on these high fell routes in the first place.”

She also thanked the ‘dedicated, knowledgeable and experienced’ Green Lanes Protection Group, for evidence that the pass should not be used by motorised vehicles.

Graham Plumbe, vice-chair of Green Lanes, an alliance of 21 organisations including Friends of the Lake District, said: “I think without a doubt that this is the right decision.”

Meanwhile, the path has been improved thanks to a £55,000 Government grant in the wake of the 2009 floods.

“The storms badly damaged both sides of the pass, especially the western side where the track effectively became a river, and most of the surface ended up on the main road,” said Nick Thorne, the Lake District National Park Authority’s countryside access advisor.