Trail Riders donate to Dales byways maintenance

An organisation promoting the responsible use of green lanes with public rights for recreational motor vehicles has made a donation to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Members of North Yorkshire Trail Riders Fellowship led by Rights of Way Officer Leo Crone presented a cheque for £2,500 to National Park Authority Area Manager Matt Neale (see picture).

The Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF) has a code of conduct for drivers recommending a maximum speed of 25mph, slowing down for walkers, stopping for horse riders, and limiting group size to help reduce the impact. 

The group has made several donations to the National Park Authority during the past ten years.  The money is used to maintain the surfaces of green lanes in the National Park, such as those classed as ‘byways open to all traffic’.

Leo Crone from North Yorkshire TRF said: “We organise and run events throughout the year guiding riders from all over England around these beautiful areas of North Yorkshire. Within that we raise money.  And the money we raise we quite often now donate to authorities who maintain the rights of way that we use. 

“We would like to keep these vehicular rights of way open to the public.  It’s time to get our hands out of our pockets and start being part of the solution.  We’ve been making these sorts of donations now for ten years.  We don’t just do it for motor vehicles but for everybody who use these routes.”

Area Ranger Matt Neale, who has a team of rangers and volunteers covering the northern area of the National Park including Wensleydale and Swaledale, said: “The trail riders are aware that not everyone is a fan of recreational motor vehicles in the hills. However, for as long as they have rights to take vehicles along these green lanes and we have a duty to maintain them, then we will continue to work with all users. 

“I would like to put on record thanks to the Trail Riders Fellowship for their kind donation and support.  The money will be spent on maintaining byways open to all traffic.”