The Council for National Parks (CNP) has welcomed new powers for National Park Authorities (NPAs) in England to make Traffic Regulation Orders to control the use on rights of way.

The new powers have been introduced – in the Natural Environment and Rural Committees Act – in response to concerns about the impact that recreational motor vehicles such as four-wheel drives and trail bikes can have on national parks.

In 2005, CNP surveyed all the NPAs in England and Wales and found that off-road vehicle use was having a significant impact on several of the national parks, including the North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales and Lake District.

According to a CNP spokesperson, the impacts from off-road vehicle use include “physical damage to rights of way, conflict with non-motorised users and land managers, and disturbance to tranquillity”.

David Murray, transport campaigner at CNP, said: “These new powers will enable National Park Authorities to address concerns about damage caused by inappropriate off-road vehicular use. This will help ensure that the public can continue to enjoy the peace and quiet found in national parks.”