Passion we should forgive, it can be a useful driving force, but it must be conditioned by fact.

The Langdale-based Save the Lake District petition group and some letter writers assert that recreational motor vehicles impact on the quiet enjoyment and amenity of the area.

But even according to petitioners' own claims, on average there is only one group of three vehicles over the route each day.

Is that small level of use having any real impact on people's amenity?

Anyone visiting the Tilberthwaite area on almost any day will find that amenity is impacted by many greater issues than recreational motor vehicle use.

And any impact on air quality, and where it emanates from, can be readily tested using hand-held meters measuring oxides of nitrogen.

Geoff Wilson

Lazonby