Ref. 18586-43THE GOVERNMENT has given the Countryside Agency 12 months to solve the ongoing row over the ancient Ridgeway trail.

If it fails to deliver, a ban on 4x4 cars and motorcyclists will be imposed.

Tony McNulty, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport told the House of Commons last week: "We intend to take action.

"We want to discover whether the Countryside Agency's management plan produces results within the next 12 months.

"Over that time, we want to work far more closely with local authorities, which are at various stages of their management schemes, while working with the Countryside Agency." As reported in the Evening Advertiser last week, the House of Lords voted in an amendment to the Railways and Transport Bill effectively banning 4x4 cars and motorcycles from the 76-mile trail, which stretches from Avebury to Tring in Hertfordshire.

Many outdoor groups including cyclists, horse riders and walkers, blame the vehicles for the damage, but drivers insist it is a public highway and their rights are being infringed.

Mr McNulty said: "If the Countryside Agency's management plan and the work of local authorities do not produce results within 12 months, the Government is committed to consider promoting such a ban along the length of the Ridgeway."

AGAINST THE BAN

Steve Lynham, owner of Steve Lynham Motorcycle Repairs, Kingsdown Road, Stratton St Margaret:

"I am disappointed with the ban. It should be used as a road as it's meant to be. Motorcyclists generally don't cause a problem it's the irresponsible ones that need to be stopped.

"I can understand the ramblers' point of view - they don't want their countryside walk disturbed by a load of motorbikes - but it's a minority."

Pete Flynn, member of the Trail Riders Fellowship and Swindon and District Motorcycle Club:

"Walkers have access to 97 per cent of all unsurfaced tracks in the UK. Just three per cent are used by vehicles. I think it is selfish of them to exclude us from that that small percentage.

" It is a poor show when a Government chooses to ignore statistics like that. We live now in a 'Ban It' culture.

"I respect walkers and always slow down for them. The council has a duty to maintain roads and this is very much a road. Would they shut the A4 because of a few protesters? This is a travesty of democracy."

Andy Burtenshaw, member of the All Wheel Drive Club (AWDC), Swindon branch:

"We have offered to go out there and carry out repairs to the track. Since last August the group has done 300 hours of voluntary work.

"The problem stems from a few walkers who are very anti-cars. They have no room for tolerance. We do advise our members to stick to the code of conduct in place at the Ridgeway.

"We tell them not to go when the weather is really bad and to be considerate to other users. There needs to be tolerance on both sides."