A COUNTRY lane at the centre of a long-running rights of way dispute has been permanently closed to 4x4s following complaints over its deteriorating condition.

Durham County Council temporarily banned motor vehicles from using Wolsingham Byway 157, known as Hexham Lane, in Wolsingham for 18 months to assess whether it would make a positive difference to the state of the unsurfaced byway.

And yesterday, the council’s highways committee voted to replace the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO), imposed in October 2016, with a permanent restriction, banning motor vehicles with four wheels or more from the route.

Vehicles used by the owner or occupier of the land are exempt from the ban while motorcyclists can also continue to use the track.

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.

Audrey Christie, the council's senior rights of way officer, told the committee she and her colleagues had monitored the route every four to six weeks since the order was put in place and while there had still been some damage by permitted farm vehicles over the winter months, the land had mostly recovered by last month's latest check.

She said most of the damage occurred at 'pinch points' such as gates but overall it was in an "acceptable" condition.

Ms Christie said the council had received two objections from landowners over making the order permanent, saying they wanted all vehicles to be banned from using the track as they felt there were safety issues for employees and their livestock could become upset.

Meanwhile, members of the Green Lane Association (GLASS) and the Trail Riders Fellowship, maintained they were being unfairly blamed for the actions of a small minority.

Justin Brown, on behalf of GLASS, said the ban would simply punish those who use the byway responsibly and suggested a seasonal ban instead.

Councillor Peter Oliver agreed saying the lane should be open to everyone as closing one could lead to more being closed.

However, several councillors agreed the order needed to be made permanent.

Councillor Richard Ormerod said the order struck the "right balance" over the issue while Councillor John Shuttleworth said he would ideally ban every vehicle to protect the land from irresponsible drivers using it as an "adventure playground".

Councillors voted in favour of the recommendation with 9-3.