AS someone who has enjoyed the Ridgeway for many years, I would like to make several points.

I and my family have walked, mountain-biked and driven this ancient track.

Over the last 40 years or so, several things have become obvious to us.

1. The damage caused to the surface is invariably done by farmers' vehicles that have a huge 'footprint' and extreme weight don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming them as they have an important job to do. The smaller and lightweight off-road 4x4 rarely has need to damage the surface.

2. The argument over the use of the track by 4x4 vehicles has nothing whatever to do with preservation of the track. It has only to do with the Ramblers Association stance that anything that is not 'just walking' is inappropriate. Ramblers firmly believe that their particular hobby is 'the right one' and everybody else is wrong.

3. The article recently published in your paper (Wednesday, July 9) spoke of a concern that the 4x4's will simply go elsewhere if the Ridgeway is closed to them. Driving a 4x4 vehicle off-road and having enjoyment from it is not illegal, neither is it heresy, evil or otherwise bad.

Why must the establishment condemn it simply because they don't understand it?

It is no surprise that they do of course their forefathers were probably the people that tried to ban the motor car in 1903!

Martyn Kelham

Highworth