Huzzard’s warning over country track
Before: Seggimire Lane as it was
A PICTURESQUE green lane in the National Park at Ugglebarnby, near Whitby, is to be closed because of serious damage by 4x4 vehicles.
Seggimire Lane at Ugglebarnby has been closed to all motor vehicles until a long-term solution is found after serious vandalism was caused by recreational users on the route.
Doug Huzzard, highway asset manager for North Yorkshire County Council, said: “Unfortunately we have no option but to close the lane as a result of this inconsiderate and illegal activity by a few thoughtless drivers, whose ‘enjoyment’ of this historic route amounts to little short of vandalism.
“We will assess the damage to the route, make arrangements for its reinstatement, and identify what future management is appropriate.”
He added: “Lanes such as this – and there are very many of them in North Yorkshire – are particularly vulnerable to damage from off-road vehicles as a result of the prolonged rainfall of the past few months. It is highly irresponsible of drivers to use the lanes in these conditions.”
At least 15 stones of an old, historic ‘trod’ or pathway have been pulled up and thrown into the ditch.
And a total of 200 metres of the route – known locally as Seggimire Lane – has suffered serious surface damage as a result of the incident.
Sarah Blakemore, the North York Moors National Park Authority’s Access Officer, said: “Seggimire Lane is a charming, historic green lane which is full of character. It is simply not capable of withstanding use by 4x4 vehicles and this irresponsible use by a few individuals has made it very difficult for everybody to use because of the deep ruts and churned up mud.
“The surface of the lane and the historic stone trods are now in a very fragile condition and more likely to suffer serious damage by the motorcyclists who regularly use it.”
Once commonplace, the National Park’s stone pathways, which are known as ‘trods’, have been fast disappearing since 1900. Archaeologists, cartographers and historians now view the trods of the North York Moors as an integral feature of the area’s economic and industrial history.
Some of the trods date back to the medieval monks, others may have been linked to the inland distribution of salt-fish from the harbours of the coast and many linked farms, churches and villages.
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Weather for Whitby
Monday 20 May 2013
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