The Peak District National Park Authority is to exclude trail-bikes, quad-bikes and 4x4s from a Derbyshire green lane to protect, the say, the special qualities of the national park.

The Authority's Audit, Resources and Performance committee has decided that a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is necessary on the Roych, a 3.5km section of the Pennine Bridleway near Chapel-en-le-Frith in the Dark Peak.

The decision follows a public consultation during which the Authority received around 2,500 responses, with over 1000 objecting to the proposed TRO and more than 1235 individuals and organisations in support of a ban.

Christopher Pennell, Audit, Resources and Performance committee chair, said:

'We have not taken this decision lightly. The Roych is a very popular route with many different users but it crosses some of the most environmentally-sensitive areas of the national park.'

'We considered partial regulation, but past attempts, on a voluntary basis, to partially restrict use by 4x4s and trail bikes has failed. The status quo was unacceptable and doing nothing was not an option.'

'In light of evidence and feedback during public consultation, our members felt they had to use the powers Parliament gave them to restrict motorised recreational traffic in this particular case to protect the natural beauty and amenity of the Roych and its surrounding, stunning landscape.'

The Roych is a very popular route, and high levels of use have led to conflict between users. In addition, vehicles have not been sticking strictly to the lane, say the Park Authority. A large amount of public funding has already been spent on the route and the levels of use were damaging repaired sections, they claim.

The Authority has committed extra resources to addressing the issue of managing green lanes, despite budget cuts in other areas.

Mr Pennell said:

'In this case a full, permanent Traffic Regulation Order was deemed necessary for what is a highly valued National Trail for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.'

The exclusion does not include wheelchairs or electric disability scooters and Trampers.

Some other Peak District routes popular with off-road vehicles have been identified as being in urgent need of improved management. The action plans being developed for these can be seen here.