THE Government has backed away from imposing a total ban on 4x4 vehicles from the 6,000 year old Ridgeway trail.

Rural Affairs minister Alun Michael announced new legislation that will tighten up the use of off-road vehicles, motor bikes and quad bikes on the ancient road that passes to the south of Swindon.

Under the plans, old fashioned bylaws will be scrapped which allow motorists successfully to apply for the right to drive on routes which were historic roads once used by horse-drawn vehicles.

But he said vehicles should continue to enjoy using the "right of way network" and that it fell to local authorities to continue introducing bans in areas where there was public opposition or possible environmental harm.

Off-road enthusiasts and bikers have been blamed for potholes and damaged grass verges on the 76-mile-long Ridgeway, which runs from Avebury to Tring in Hertfordshire. It is believed to be Britain's oldest road.

Currently, the four councils along the length of the Ridgeway use Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) to ban vehicles from fragile sections of the route or seasonal bans to prevent vehicles using it in winter months.