"Cumbrian beauty spot damaged by vehicles"

[Ricky-410]

'The Helm is becoming impassable'

A natural beauty spot in Cumbria, is being damaged by vehicles driving off road, performing stunts and churning up the ground.

'The Helm', in Kendal, is a popular walking spot and is an area of outstanding natural beauty.

"I am a regular walker on the Helm as are many other members of the community.

"Some areas of the Helm have become impassable, even on foot, because of the selfish behaviour of others.

“Looking at some of the tracks it is obvious there is a real danger of drivers losing control.

"They risk their vehicles turning over, causing serious injury to drivers, passengers and anybody who happens to be in the area.

“It is believed that most if not all of these incidents are occurring during the hours of darkness."

– SERGEANT JOHN STEPHENS, CUMBRIA POLICE
Anybody who sees any vehicles being driven off road onto the Helm is asked to take note of the registration number and contact Kendal Police on 101.




Here's the link to it but all that's on the page is there, it will be a hanging offence to go off-roading soon! With a combination of the few people that abuse it like this and the shit attitude of most walkers/horse riders were going to end up with no legal lanes at all.

http://www.itv.com/news/border/story/20 ... -vehicles/

[Jordi]

Its sad but true. No one wants us in the countryside.

The way that article is put together it doesnt sound like we should be there in the first place.

As with all laning our behaviour is paramount. No clowning about. Stick to the track. Country code, gates, no speeding etc.

We passed a few people the other day and were even talking to a farmer whose land we went over looking for a ford. All the ramblers stepped back, we slowed down so we didn't cover them in crud.

All it would have take. Is a walker sprayed in mud or water. Or someone to have been speeding or plowing through the middle of the field.

Jordi

[Ricky-410]

I know from the bikes (push and motor) you can do all you can to not offend anyone and still get a load of abuse when you've as much right as them to be there. Just got to take it and carry on, try not to make your position any worse!

[ScottieJ]

It's always the minority that ruin it for the rest of us! The ones that just buy a 4x4 and think they can drive wherever they want, its the same everywhere unfortunately! If I take people out laning I always trundle along at a sensible speed and don't approve of anyone going 'off piste' of the main byway.

Its a good thing that people are being encouraged to call the police and report the plates of people being where they shouldn't be but I can imagine there will always be a few who will even report the plates of people who are on a legal route.

It's just a fact of life, there's always someone who has to moan about other people doing something harmless and fun! (Legal laning that is!)

[Ricky-410]

I wonder what "stunts" they were performing

[Edweird]

I wonder what "stunts" they were performing

Doughnuts and wheel spinning probably. In an official sounding document they don't want to be specific about the fun being had.

[Anton]

One or two guys say or do things that are bad, all men are labelled as sexist. One or two BNP nutters, and all white people are suddenly racists. One or two shoe bombers, and all Muslims are terrorists. One or two Chesea tractors cut up other road users, and suddenly all 4x4 owners are selfish idiots from Chelsea who drive only in the city, and are *trying* to cause global warming.

The media loves to paint entire sections of the public with a single, huge tarred brush. Unfortunately, the less of a voice you have, the more believable this rubbish tends to be.