Advice for Residents
Living in the Peak District National Park has many benefits but the influx of visitors can provide challenges too.
We work closely with local communities to ensure that they continue to enjoy a high quality of life. The use of the Peak District landscape by 4x4s, quad bikes, trail bikes and other motorsport enthusiasts is one area that often arouses strong emotions.
Concerns often centre around motorsports causing:
- Damage to the landscape
- Noise disruption to residents
- Potential safety issues for other users, like walkers or cyclists.
We understand these concerns and are here to work with you to try and resolve any problems that may arise.
Unfortunately dealing with these problems is not the responsibility of one individual agency. This can make it confusing for the public to know who to contact for help.
The good news is that all these agencies are working together. This page will tell you who to contact for help – but if you are unsure please contact us rightsofway@peakdistrict.gov.uk and we can point you in the right direction.
Taking action to stop the illegal use of Peak District land by motor vehicles
We are very concerned about any incidents of routes and land in the Peak District being used illegally. Responsibility for stopping any illegal activity by motor vehicles rests with the police. We are working with the police to provide the information they need to take action against offenders.
So what are we doing?
We have installed logging machines at various locations in the Peak District that record the use of land by vehicles. The police can use this information to take action against those responsible. This can range from issuing warning notices for first-time offenders through to confiscating vehicles for repeat offenders.
We are working with motorsport user groups to encourage responsible and legal use of the Peak District by 4x4s, quad bikes, trail bikes and other motor vehicles. Together with these groups we are developing voluntary codes of conduct in different locations to ensure that use is responsible and causing the minimum amount of damage to the land and disturbance to local residents and visitors.
We are also working
with walkers, cycle
and horse riding groups to get their support on this issue.
This work is being carried out with the support of the Peak District Local Access Forum, whose membership includes members of the local community. The forum has set up a sub-group – which includes representatives of motor vehicle users, landowners, conservationists and other users – to look at the use of unsurfaced routes by motor vehicles.
One option as part of the management of routes is the use of Traffic Regulation Orders. It is important to recognise that TROs are a tool to help manage the use of land by motor vehicles but they are not the solution to all problems – or suitable for use in all locations. They only work if they can be enforced and when used together with other measures to encourage responsible motor vehicle use in the countryside.
Tackling noise problems caused by motor vehicle use
One of the attractions of the Peak District is its tranquillity. Use of the countryside by motor vehicles has to be done without causing excessive noise.
Environmental health officers at your local district, borough or metropolitan borough council have powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 to take action to stop excessive noise problems. These include the ability to:
- confiscate vehicles making excessive noise
- prosecute those responsible – who could face fines of up to £40,000.
Local council noise control contacts
How can I help tackle noise problems?
To take action environmental health officers will need to show that the noise being created by off-roaders is excessive. Often they will also need to demonstrate that the people causing the noise are doing so over a long period of time or on more than one occasion.
This is where you can act as their eyes and ears.
You can help by:
- keeping a written record, with times and dates, of the noise problems being caused
- writing a description of the vehicles involved
- recording the noise problems to help establish the extent of the nuisance being created.
Who does what?
- The local highway authority maintains the surface of routes
- The highway authority legally decides whether routes are suitable for off-road use or not
- The police take action against illegal use – contact them on 0845 123 3333
- The highway authority and Peak District National Park Authority have identical powers to make Traffic Regulation Orders
If you have a problem you would like help with you should initially approach the relevant authority listed above.
Help us to help you
If you have any constructive ideas or comments about ways we can improve access and enjoyment of the countryside for all users then please contact us rightsofway@peakdistrict.gov.uk.
