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The Manx Green Lanes form a network of grass tracks across our historic landscape. These grass lanes are the original tracks of the Island and have survived for thousands of years. But in the last 10 years most of them have become severely damaged by off-road vehicles, particularly by off-road motorbikes. The green lanes and greenways are one of the most valuable but neglected assets of the Isle of Man, and they are the future for a sustainable green tourism industry. But at the moment we are allowing one particular element to damage and destroy them. We are calling for an urgent re-appraisal of the purpose and importance of these lanes which takes into account their national heritage value, their value to ordinary people who wish to walk or ride them, and for the Isle of Man government to develop a sensitive and sustainable management strategy for their recreational use and survival. Such a strategy would be based upon the following:

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1   A comprehensive survey to initially assess the condition of all Manx Green Lanes.​



2   Based on this Condition Survey, develop a secure Green Lane Management Strategy using the 7 key practical measures accepted by​

     Tynwald in 2005 as the basis for a sound management strategy. This should build upon guidance already submitted by specialist​

     consultants to the Council of Ministers in the 2006 report: On Practical Measures to Reduce Damage to Upland Areas by Vehicles.

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3   Introduce a scheme of Green Lane Categorisation with distinctive signage which allows usage based upon the ability of the track to support

     different activities, along with a legal framework that ensures strict adherence to this access code.​



4.  Introduce a system of annual monitoring which regularly assesses the condition of all green lanes, and with the power to close green lanes that

     are becoming damaged.



5   Publish annually a map-based leaflet that defines the Island’s green lanes showing categories of use, plus a calendar of access periods.



6   Develop means of rigorous policing as an essential part of the The Green Lane Management Strategy.​



7   Construct a new Green Lane Users' Forum representing proportional interests from various groups that, apart from the main user groups, 

     should also include Manx National Heritage, The Manx Heritage Foundation, Rambling groups, horse riding interests, The Manx Footpath

     Conservation Group, The ​Manx Footpath Task Force volunteer group, Fell Running organisations and Manx natural history societies.