Green Lanes - Our Heritage
This is a list of comments submitted by people who have visited this website. Most comments are positive, but to show fairness we have included all comments sent to us, leaving out any that are insulting or abusive. (Some comments running to about a page of text have not been included)
Very well done for creating this website. It is long past time that this was sorted out and politicians got off their backsides to deal with this issue which is destroying our green lanes all across this island.
Congratulations on creating this organisation and website, I can see a lot of quality work has gone into it. Your pictures clearly show the extent of damage - a real scandal, which would never be allowed in the UK.
Well done - the website shows the problem and highlights the issue very well. Martin
Dear Sirs, I completely agree with the fact that our countryside is being damaged by off road vehicles. Not only is the physical damage being caused, but also as a walker I have personal experience of myself and family having walks ruined by the noise and number of motorbikes damaging the peace and quiet and also of some incidents of intimidation by bikers who then return to England on the boat leaving the damage behind them. Therefore, if you are to start some form of a petition on the issue I would be more than happy to add my signature.
Thank you for setting up this web site. The damage to our tracks is an issue that has been ignored by Government for too long. I have lived in our area for 20 years and witnessed the gradual deterioration of our local tracks and despaired! I know that water is blamed by the bikers and this does cause the actual damage on our local tracks but bikes are the catalyst. My nearest track is a bridleway too but is impassable to a horse. It has also become difficult to walk and I now avoid it. It seems to me as if a minority of users are being favoured over everyone else! I did raise this at the last election with our MHK but have seen none of the promised action suggested such as registering users and temporary closures. Jane.
I rode the trails on a trail bike for a number of years, enjoying getting into the hills and the challenges of some of the tracks. However, as the damage to the trails became worse, I made the decision to stop. (Even then, I was using road bias trail tyres.) I have had countless discussions with biking friends who seem adamant about their right to ride, citing things such as rain and drainage for the damage! I have ridden trails in Southern Spain, where the scenery and challenges are just as good, but the surface of the tracks is rock, so there is no damage. Our grass tracks are different and need protecting. I totally agree that our upland tracks need urgent attention. I feel that we are already too late and that some sections may take decades to recover. Our mountains are a fantastic feature and we need to manage and look after them. I would support the development of networks of sustainable tracks for off road vehicles, as long as the un-sustainable tracks were left vehicle free. I would even pay more tax to help pay for them.. I now run in the hills and am a member of the Manx Fell Runners, but my heart sinks when I am forced to use wide, boggy, rutted and un-respected tracks. Regardless of what anyone claims, the damage has got significantly worse in the last five years. It needs to stop now. Chris.
Good day, I was wondering whether you had considered approaching representatives from the equestrian community for additional support? We have felt the impact of the degradation of the green lanes very keenly, having lost many off road riding tracks and being forced to ride on public roads. I know that the Isle of Man branch of the British Horse Society had been looking at the issue recently, following the death of a horse in a RTC last year. Might be worth making contact.
I am a motorcyclist that uses green roads. I too am appalled with the damage being done by the more irresponsible users and personally stay off the roads that have soft moorland as part of them. I use green road to see the countryside and would gain no pleasure from destroying it, nor do I have a desire to wallow in mud. I get angry when I see videos on the internet of motorcyclists and 4x4 drivers tearing up the moorland. Where I have problems is when organisations tar all the green road users with the same brush and use images of damage that is clearly water damage and nothing to do with vehicular traffic. By pillorying off road motorcyclists you lose support from people such as I who would be supportive of some of the action to protect our moorland. The radio coverage that I have heard has almost exclusively mentioned motorcycles and little mention of the 4x4 vehicle of one or two tons that also cause damage. We should be all working together on this issue not castigating certain road users and creating an adversarial us and them situation. As many others point out there are many foot paths and bridal paths that motor vehicles are not allowed to use, so I do feel that some of the walker lobby are just motorcycle haters and selfish, wanting it all to themselves. I also walk and do not walk on green roads there are lots of footpaths far better and would love to ride some of them but that would be unacceptable and rightly so. One thing that we must be aware of is that by closing green roads you push more traffic on to the remaining one which increases the wear and damage. The solution is to repair the existing lanes as much as possible and if essential close the ones that are beyond economical repair. John B.
Please could you keep me informed - I would like to help out in any way. I am an avid walker and am distraught at the sight of our landscape. Motorbikers also up on North Barrule - tyre tracks left in the snow. Fiona.
Just read this article and I don't understand what your saying, these lanes are classed as roads and are not public footpaths, I thought if you had a road legal vehicle that can get up the lanes then your ok or am I mistaken?
You have hundreds of miles of public footpaths everywhere, bridelpaths, cycles tracks, access to all sorts of areas of outstanding natural beauty and yet you still want to stop a small minority enjoying the very small amount of limited access we have to green lanes. Very selfish. The world is for everyone to enjoy.
(Continued):- I've just been thinking since I sent last email and it seems to me your very selfish and you want these lanes for yourself and no one else is allowed to use them
Hi, as dedicated walkers my husband and I despair at the state of our greenways and are having to cross routes off our list as some are now virtually impassable and as these are usually in the most beautiful parts of the island this is very frustrating. Is your group one that we can join to help support your aims. If we don't act soon it will be irreversible for ever. Many thanks.
Hi, Could you please let me know what sort of support I would be able to offer? These pictures leave me lost for words.
I have the reg. numbers of some of the bikes if you would like them as they seem to gather at the top of Parliament St, Ramsey, on a Saturday morning/early afternoon, and I have seen them being taken out of the back of a Transit Van which has English number plates. They appear to go in the "Barista" cafe at the top of Parliament Street and I have heard discussing about how someone brings them over here in the van. Hope this helps.
Just to let you know how impressed I am with your website. I live in Sulby Glen; near the Ballacuberagh greenway. You will no doubt be aware of the damage that has caused the closure of this lane since I reported it at the end of September last year. I have some good photos for you if you would like a copy sending? Let me know.
These are Greenway roads i.e. bikes have to be taxed & insured the same as a regular tarmac road, there are plenty of walks designated to walkers, stick to them we are a biking nation, I agree some UK bikes cause alot of damage but all the MANX Lads I ride with treat the tracks with the utmost care, we are so lucky to have this freedom, there is plenty of land for us all to enjoy so leave us alone, or move to somwhere there is no freedom.
Looking at the pictures of damage to tracks i notice that you do not have any picture of the great scar running up to the top of snaefell from the bungalow. Could you please take some photos of this and add them to your list as this is the most visable damage on the island to our one and only mountain. I look forward to your reply
Hi, I am very concerned about the terrible damage to lovely lanes in my area. There are many, many tracks and lovely lanes that are now unusable. I rode a very experienced hunter on down the short lane connecting Foxdale Rd. to the Tosaby Rd. last week and it is now so deep that the horse fell, right down onto his knees. These tracks are being continually used by motor bikes regardless of how wet it is. Please come and look at them. I will happily help you. Further lanes; Loobs Rd connecting to Archallagan Rd; Green lane Eairy Kelly to St Ruinious old church (bikes now, having ruined the lane, are riding on the verge) - deep ruts. Stony Mountain – heavily rutted. These tracks are now unusable by walkers and riders, very selfish of off-roaders, such a shame, particularly their continuing through the very wet weather we have had. Kind regards, D.
Someone with a very bigoted opinion seems to thing motorbikes are to blame for ALL the erosion on the lanes. Do people really believe a single cylinder 250cc bike with rubber tyres can cut away solid stone! And tractors don't do any damage do they? As for deleated comments, thats a bit one sided, what happened to freedom of speach?
I was upset to see once again today the continued degradation of the footpath from the Millenium Way (near where it passes Benn y Pott) up to the top of Carraghan.) Motorbike riders are leaving the greenway and heading out up the footpath, cutting deep ruts in the peat. Sections of peat of the upland area are now washing away leaving bare rock. Wooden rails put up to discourage riders are being ignored and deep ruts show that riders just go around them. I have photos if anyone is interested. This is a problem that has grown in the last few years.
You have not mentioned "Skye Hill" which has been badly damaged and also the Glen up Glen Auldyn has been damaged as well. Diana,
Site seems to be devoid.of names, who are you? I have ridden these tracks, which are public road, not footpaths for 36 years, and they have not changed significantly. You appear to aiming your comments solely at motorcyclists, with little mention of quads, jeeps, bourses, mountain bikes. Your views are selfish. I doubt if you will respond to this email and will remaii hidden! Keith.
Please advise how we join. John & M. Thank You
I'm keen to be of help if I can! C.T.
As a mountain biker I see the problems with the tracks but also ride motor free tracks and see similar coditions such as groudle glen. I think its a bit unfair to stop people using them just because they have an engine. Fortunately many green lanes still exist due to being passed regularly. These lanes would simply become overgrown. Everybody needs to get on in life and share. Andrew L.
Hello, I was just looking at your website,and reading about your organisations aims regarding the greenway roads on the Island, whilst some of the paths are in a complete mess they are by no means beyond repair, I think you need to look to the agricultural industry for help, this past year has been very challenging for the industry, many of us have had to repair such damage on our own land,iI would be pleased to meet any representatives of your organisation to discuss possible solutions for the way forward, looking forward to your response. Ian.
Keep up the good work, it's high time vehicles were banned from the mountains. I used to do a lot of walking over the hills, and even 20 odd years ago there was major damage to many of the tracks. Laurence.
As you have stated you will not print or use comments that you don't agree with but i'll have my say anyway. its a pity you lot cant find somthing worth while to do rather than worry about some ruts in an old cart track. there are kids dying everyday who would love to have someone like you on there side, but no you would much sooner use your time stopping people enjoying themselves. i hope you feel proud.. Les.
The island has some wonderful countryside and walks. A large number of the green lanes i have walked are in a dreadfully dangerous condition solely caused by motorbikes and other off-road vehicles. It really is beyond me that this is allowed to continue ruining such a wonderful historic and natural asset for the isle of man. What is, or was something to be truly proud off, is instead a source of deep shame. Mark.
Another case of IOM where you CAN'T ! A lot of this erosion has been caused by severe weather and water damage. Instead of once again stopping a sport or recreation on the Island why don't you work together with the people who use these tracks to come up with a solution where they can be enjoyed by all. T.
i think your point is very biased against vehicles, yes they do leave some ruts but your really not taking into account how much a part the weather is playing in the role of the deepness of them. the g.l.u.g are at least trying to do something about it where as walkers and horse riders just moan and want the vehicles banned. would you like some pictures of footpaths that have been 'eroded by walkers'! i can get them for you if you like!! any way, i believe the greenlanes should be well marked and kept to a maximum 12' wide, some of the vehicles do take to wide of a line. i believe they do this cause the road is impassible. (Anonymouse)
Hi I'm Paul I'm a local and I own a quad that I get out on around 4 times a year I appreciate the green lanes are in a sad state of repair but since the wasteland in Foxdale has had private property signs put up People like me now have nowhere to ride except green lanes and the rushen mines! Would it be a bad idea to arrange green lane passes for people to use green lanes if they give up some time to help towards the maintenance of the lanes and then on the spot fines for those caught using them without passes?? or maybe convincing the government to employ a small team on a permanent basis to go round and fix up the worst affected lanes and sell green lane licences in the style of fishing licences to help fund such a team it could even be a condition of such a licence being issued that you have to give up a day of volenteering to be labourers for such a team?? Just a thought but it'd stop the come-overs! anyone able to ride the lanes in the state their in now shouldn't have too much trouble with a days hard labour in order to continue doing something they love after all where else do you get to see some of the breath taking views the island has to offer! In my opinion Closing them all together is not the answer to this! What do you think? Thanks, Paul.
R u telling me that motor vehicles are responsible for the water and wind erosion........ I am a keen biker and often collected cans of pop left by walkers, could be kids I don't know but still it's foot traffic, bikers carry our fluids in specialist products to avoid this. Can you explain that? maybe the bikers should start up a petition to get our point across. But its unlikely as we all have busy lives and got better things to do. But must admit we all need a little release from time to time. And To be fair we pay to use these roads, and as you know the Isle of Man would be in trouble if bikers didn't visit . Simon
I totally agree with what you are doing. I had a letter published in the local papers some years ago urging then to ban all vehicles and leave footpaths only for walkers. Collins dictionary definition of foot-path:- "a narrow path usually across fields for pedestrians only". Surely all of your pictures illustrate footpaths and not lanes at all. I think Island Heritage is more important that recreation and therefore don't really approve of the idea of having Green Lanes. Peter.
I would like to support the organisation. I am a member of the Manx Conservation of Footpaths Association and regularly walk our beautiful island. Belinda.
Dear Isle of Man group I am the Chair of the Peak District Green Lanes Alliance. We have campaigning against off-roading in the Peak District for about two years. Would you like to me add a link to you on our website? And do you know about GLEAM (Green Lane Environmental Action Group) a national umbrella body campaigning on same issue http://www.gleam-uk.org/ . Pl get in touch with us if you think we might be able to help / advise.. Our website is www.pdgla.org.uk . We do a monthly newsletter which is on our website. The problems up here in the Peak District are horrendous! Best wishes.
Completly irresponsible people are wrecking walking paths. There should be "walkers only" paths, but, as usual, nothing will get done. Damage is NOT due to climate - this may have an "end part" in things, but you can't "climate" a foot deep motorcycle track. Adrian.
I have just found your website and congratulate you on your efforts to draw attention to the degradation of IOM tracks. Are you in contact with similar groups in the UK? You can visit our own, Yorkshire Dales website at ydgla.co.uk. A parallel group in the Peak District is pdgla.org.uk, and there is a UK national group called GLEAM (don't have their web address to hand but you can find them by putting 'green lanes' into a search engine.) Get in touch if there is anything we can do. Best wishes. (Yorkshire Dales Green Lanes Alliance)
I would like to add my full support to your campaign, as a walker and fell runner , from the Island, i have been appalled and saddened at the state the green lanes have been allowed to get into. It seems , from my point of view, that no one in government has any idea how to tackle the problem, and enduro bikers have non or little respect for the tracks they ride. Even footpaths have not escaped the enduro bikes, the track that runs up ballure plantation, besides the old douglas road has had very recent enduro bike activity, and all the way through the rest of the plantation there are tyre marks , in the snow, and the padlocks have been taken off the gates top and bottom !!! an inside job ?? can we have a team of volunteers to report any illegal activity ? as a regular walker and runner in the hills, i would certainly volunteer. Wayne.
All strength to your campaign. It shouldn't need a private individual or organisation to highlight this damage ...the Government should be on top of this 'vandalism', ... .... for want of a better word I did a lot of hill walking in the 1980/90's and damage was apparent them. I seem to remember an attempt was made to fill in some very deep ruts , especially on the Millennium Way on the high ground South of Ramsey The trouble is, apart from the damage by vehicles, once the turf has been broken through on a sloping section of a track, even a shallow rut can become very deep by the action of water flowing downhill. If the UK can close these roads to vehicles, so can the Isle of Man. We seem to follow them in every other respect.. As I said, all strength to your campaign.. Regards, John.
We read your excellent letter in the Examiner today. We enjoy walking, cycling and horse riding. I don't think motorcyclists can be banned but we would very much welcome designated tracks for non motor vehicles. There doesn't seem to be any problem in England we have cycled 'Way of the Roses' and many other routes where cyclist, walkers and horse riders all share the same path. Regards, Andy.
My wife and I agree that off road vehicles are damaging green lanes beyond repair. Will write to our MHK. Unable to download your suggested letter to MHK.
I ready your letter in the IoM Examiner and am keen to offer my support in protecting our beautiful island. I have lived in Sulby since a child and used to enjoy roaming the hills all around this area on my hairy pony. Now, the tracks are so destroyed that even walking is far from enjoyable as you must watch almost every footfall. Horse riding is impossible - and my daughter on her hairy pony is unable to enjoy the same beauty and freedom as I did. Such a shame as I have always thought us so lucky to live on this lovely island. My husband enjoys fell running - he can negotiate his way over the rutted tracks but has had to avoid fast moving bikes on the narrow Narradle track which can fly around blind bends are quite some speed. On a windy day it is not always possible to hear them coming to get out of the way. The same problem is true for the horses - another reason why I do not take my children up onto the mountain tracks anymore. I fear we may have already lost the hills to the motor bikes - which is very sad and I really hope I'm wrong. I would like to help however I can. Best regards, Tracey.
Hi, As a avid motorcyclist and with a wife that is an avid walker I can see both sides of the argument here but I feel a lot of comments on this site are very narrow minded. The tyre tracks that have been seen on Barrule are probably from Kathryn getting the sheep in for the owner of the land, she also does this from Glen Auldyn to Sky Hill with help from other motorcyclist. The problem is that the DoT need to maintain these tracks and lanes and if they haven't got the money or man power to do the main roads its highly unlikely the greenlanes will ever get done. Also it should be noted that the warden is ineffective in catching and prosecuting those who do misuse the tracks. Perhaps you could find out how many people if any have been caught in the last 10 years, show your results and think of a better plan to police the tracks. Pointing fingers in this way causes great offence to people like myself who use the tracks properly. Everybody has the right to use the greenlanes not just walkers. Thanks Rob.
Hi, I would like to think that we can all work together to find a reasonable solution to any problem areas on our tracks. I dont think that any one group has any right to dictate to another on how this should be done, but rather we work together as a community. You claim that offroad bikes account for 1.5% ofthe population, what percentage is made up of walkers please? Thanks, Ewan.
I have only just come across your website (via the letter on IoM today). It's a great site, and I am pleased someone is finally doing something to address this problem. I no longer live on the Island, but visit frequently. Keep up the good work! Best regards, Kate.