A COUNTRY lane at the centre of a long-running rights of way dispute could be permanently closed to 4X4s following complaints about its deteriorating condition.

Motor vehicles have been temporarily banned from using Hexham Lane in Wolsingham for 18 months to assess whether this makes a positive difference to the state of the unsurfaced byway.

The 2.5 mile track has been a source of contention between landowners and the off-road community for more than a decade, with farmers complaining of irresponsible motorists tearing up the surface, spooking livestock and making the route impassable to walkers, cyclists and horses.

Members of the Green Lane Association (GLASS) and the Trail Riders Fellowship, however, maintain they are being unfairly blamed for the actions of a small minority. They claim their members act responsibly and have offered to work with landowners and Durham County Council to improve and preserve the track.

On Monday, the council’s highways committee will consider whether the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO), imposed in October 2016, should be replaced with a permanent restriction, banning motor vehicles with four wheels or more with the exception of those used by the owner or occupier of the land.

This means motorcyclists can continue to use the track, an exception the landowners feel is unacceptable.

Their complaints are summarised in the committee report, which cites examples of motorcyclists driving too fast, leaving gates open, damaging the track surface and riding off the route causing distress to pregnant cows and sleep.

Weardale County Councillor John Shuttleworth is also against extending the ban.

He said: “These people come into the countryside and tear it to bits and contribute very little to the local economy. I think it is morally wrong that they should be allowed to do this and leave someone else to pick up the bill.”

Since the ETRO was introduced, some 4x4 drivers have continued to use the track without permission, and Andy Hutchinson, County Durham representative for GLASS, said the ban would simply punish those who use the byway responsibly.

“These are the people we represent,” he said. “The people who avoid the track over winter and in bad weather, not those who recklessly cause damage and break the law. We have offered to help with patrols, signage and spreading the word but the council is not interested. GLASS and the TRF want to work with people to preserve the track.

“A seasonal closure over winter would be a far better solution.”

If the committee decides in favour of a permanent order, it will not be the first time. A traffic regulation order was made in 2015 but this was successfully challenged by the TRF and quashed by the High Court.