Important notice: This is an archived version of the Peak District National Park Authority's website. It was last updated on 2 August 2011. The current version can be found at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk. This old version of the website will remain available until all content and functionality has been transferred across to the new website, after which it will be switched off.
Looking After
How we work to look after the National Park, conservation, ranger services, biodiversity and policies.
- The work of the Authority
How we make decisions, the role of Members and staff. - Current consultations
We want your opinions on these consultations - Ranger service
What our rangers and volunteers do around the National Park. - Plans & policies
Corporate plans and policies
Managing the use of vehicles on unsurfaced roads
The Peak District National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Britain. So it’s not surprising that millions of visitors want to come here each year to enjoy what it can offer.
At times this can lead to conflicting use of the same land by different groups. The needs of walkers, cyclists and horse riders and those who enjoy motor sports can be very different.
It’s not an easy task. All these groups have a right to enjoy lawful access to the Peak District National Park. Our commitment is to treat all users fairly while working to minimise the impact of recreational use on the Peak District National Park landscape.
We actively encourage user groups to work with us to get a consensus on the best way of doing this. If you would like to get involved in this work email rightsofway@peakdistrict.gov.uk.
Latest news
Read our update here on progress to prevent damage to the worst affected routes - and see more information in our newsletters at the bottom of this page.
Find out more about how this issue affects you:
Information for motor vehicle users
Information for residents and other users
Please also read our Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) – Policy and Procedure (62KB) 
.
Use of unsurfaced roads by motor vehicles
One of the most contentious issues is the use of unsurfaced roads by motor vehicles. Just because a road isn’t surfaced doesn’t mean that vehicles aren’t allowed to use it.
An unsurfaced highway which has vehicle rights is subject to exactly the same rules as a normal road. So users need to ensure their vehicle is road legal (for example it is insured, has road tax, has number plates). They must also only use routes where they have legal access.
In the Peak District National Park it is estimated there are more than 300 routes that could have rights for vehicles to use them – with around 70 per cent of them in Derbyshire.
It can be difficult for motor vehicle users to know which routes are legal and which are not. Advice on how to find legal routes can be found in the motor vehicle users section.
Stopping the illegal use of routes by motor vehicles
We take any illegal motor vehicle activity very seriously. Where it is taking place we encourage the police and highway authorities to stop it and take action against the people responsible. They need your help to do this.
You should ring the police if you see motorists:
- Going ‘off-road’ on to open moorland
- Driving or riding on footpaths or bridleways
- In a vehicle that is not road legal.
Derbyshire Police - 0345 123 3333
South Yorkshire Police - 0114 220 20 20
Newsletters
Vehicles newsletter - May 2009 (77KB)
Vehicles newsletter - October 2009 (172KB)
Vehicles newsletter - November 2009 (315KB)
Vehicles newsletter - August 2010 (437KB)
Vehicles newsletter - October 2010 (979KB)
Vehicles newsletter - January 2011 (56KB)
Vehicles newsletter - February 2011 (111KB)
Vehicles newsletter - March 2011 (346KB)
Vehicles newsletter - June 2011 (302KB)
