I WAS pleased to read that the Forestry Commission has taken steps to ensure Dalby Forest is even more attractive to visitors, with the creation of dog-friendly facilities (March 30).

Other readers may be less pleased to learn that they have fewer than 21 days to make objections to the North York Moors National Park Authority regarding a planning application for the creation of a permanent 4x4 off-road vehicle centre in Langdale Forest, an area larger than Dalby Forest.

Langdale Forest already suffers greatly from over-use by off-road vehicles, quads and motorcycles, to the significant detriment of the environment.

Trails and footpaths have been damaged beyond economic repair making many impassable to cycle and horse riders and walkers.

Trees, plants and verges have been permanently damaged. Fuel spills, traffic noise and exhaust fumes are all to be contended with.

Large, fuel inefficient vehicles will have to travel great distances on some of the county's least suitable roads to get to this far corner of the National Park. Off-road enthusiasts should continue to make use of the multitude of disused quarries and mineworkings located next to major population centres, where environmental damage is reduced and road use of high fuel consumption vehicles is kept to a minimum.

Existing off-road users in the Langdale Forest have threatened the National Park Authority with intentions to use the rest of the park's minor roads and byways if the planning application is not successful. No public body should be subject to this type of ultimatum.

This part of the National Park is home to some of the rarest creatures in the country such as adders, otters, goshawks and water vole. If a quiet corner of a National Park cannot remain one of this country's increasingly rare traffic-free environments then what will we have left?

Peter Fountain,

Langdale,

Scarborough.

Updated: 09:40 Monday, April 04, 2005