FEARS that off-road cars and trail bikes could soon be “tearing up” historic country tracks have emerged after a ban was overturned by the High Court.

In March last year, Durham County Council’s highways committee approved a traffic regulation order to permanently exclude motor and horse drawn vehicles from Wolsingham Byway 157, known as Hexham Lane.

However, the Trail Riders Fellowship launched a legal challenge after raising £10,000 through an online campaign, and earlier this summer the permanent ban was quashed by a High Court judge.

A temporary ban is now in place until November while the council and stakeholders draw up a plan to manage and safeguard the root. But Weardale councillors John Shuttleworth and Anita Savoury are unhappy and believe an outright ban is the only way to prevent the damage inflicted to the trail and surrounding wildlife habitats witnessed prior to the ban.

Cllr Shuttleworth, a long time support of off-road vehicle bans, said: “These trail riders want the countryside to be one big playground. Their vehicles tear up the tracks with their massive wheels but and they leave someone else to sort out the mess.

“Who is going to repair the damage and pay for the maintenance? It will fall on the landowner and that is not fair.”

Cllr Savoury said: “I worry this decision will encourage people to challenge other orders. I know a lot of people will be unhappy about this. Visitors are always welcome but these four-by-four vehicles destroy the peace and tranquillity of the dale, not to mention the impact on wildlife and habitats.”

A spokesperson from the Trail Riders Fellowship, which only represents trail bike riders not four-by-four drivers, said he was unable to comment as the legal proceedings were ongoing.

It the Fellowship’s code of conduct, which all members must abide by, it stresses the importance of respecting the countryside.

Riders are told to stick to the track to avoid damaging crops and grass, to ride at a sensible speed no greater than 25 miles per hour, to shut gates to protect livestock, to acknowledge the presence of other green lane users and to give way to them on narrow lanes.

They are also advised to ride quietly and to carry their membership cards.