A CAMPAIGN to ensure the public can continue to use a historic moorland lane has been launched after the gates were locked.
Sleightholme Moor Road, a route between Gilmonby and Arkengarthdale, has been used by the public for centuries. The gravel road, which forms part of the Pennine Way National Trail and the National Cycle Network, leads to the Tan Hill Inn, is owned by Bowes Moor Estate and was, until recently, maintained by Durham County Council.
Half of it is designated as a footpath with the remainder listed as a “traffic free cycle route” . The Ordnance Survey says is this designation is used for routes with “public rights of some sort but which are not recorded as public rights of way” .
When padlocks appeared on field gates, an application to have the route recorded as a right of way was submitted to both Durham and North Yorkshire County Councils and appeal has been made for people to come forward with supporting evidence.
Teesdale resident Andy Brown said he was shocked last month to find gates at either end of the road padlocked. The keen cyclist is familiar with the route and drove it regularly when working nearby at Bowes. He is now hoping to uncover photographs, maps and anecdotal evidence to help support the application.
He said: “In the early seventies the road was Tarmaced but what I’m not clear about is if it was classified as a highway because you need a legal order to have them closed.
“To maximise the chances of the application being successful, it is important that as many people as possible submit evidence that they have used the road to the senior rights of way officer either at Durham or North Yorkshire.”
Dave Wafer, interim head of transport and contract services at Durham County Council, said: “Sleightholme Moor Road currently has no formal legal status, but we have received an application to record it as a public right of way and we will carefully consider all of the evidence before making a decision.
“We have also received reports about the locked gates and are in contact with the landowner about this.”
Evidence can be submitted to Durham County Council, quoting reference number 6/21/007 and by submitting a definitive map modification order user evidence form, which can be requested from [email protected] quoting RICH/2021/01/DMMO.
