PROPOSALS by the Duchy of Cornwall for the future management of the 'Loop Road' from Okehampton Camp onto the high moor looks set to get the backing of Dartmoor National Park Authority.

The five-kilometre stone track was surfaced in 1956 by the Ministry of Defence, without the consent of landowners the Duchy of Cornwall and forms part of the land licensed for military training.

The public have been able to use the road in two-wheel drive cars at times of non-firing since the 1950s until recently, but it is not a public highway.

The deteriation of the road means several sections are no longer suitable for ordinary cars and this poses 'a significant risk to public safety' said a report by the DNPA's director of park management.

The DNPA's management plan also identifies the use of military roads, green lanes and the open moor by motorised vehicles as 'aspects that can affect tranquility and dark night skies'.

A working party consisting of Duchy, MoD and park authority officials agreed that car access to OP22 (map reference) and Newbridge should be maintained, along with suitable parking and turning areas at both ends.

Since heavy rain last April and summer the road to Newbridge has degraded to the point that only re-tarmacing would allow access by car. There is also limited potential for parking and turning and archaelogical constraints to consider.

Proposals by the Duchy of Cornwall include:

l Extend the MoD's obligation to maintain the tarmac surface on the road from Moorgate to East Okement Farm to OP22

l Remove access for civilian vehicles south of OP22 and south of the existing barrier at GR 597921

l Improve car parking at Sand Pits, the western end of Cullever Steps track and Old Quarry

l Monitor vehicles using the road to establish whether passing bays are required

l Allow the maintenance of the Moor Brook track that runs from Moorgate west and south of the area of West Mill Tor so that civilian vehicles can access this track 'on a permissive basis'.

The Loop Road has aroused strong views in the past with some arguing that car access should be allowed around the entire road while others see it as an 'unnecessary urban intrusion into a wilderness area'.

Suzanne Goodfellow, DNPA director of park management, said that with people getting their cars stuck or damaged the situation could not continue: 'To make the road suitable for cars along its entire length would undoubtedly have a significant environmental impact, would need significant resources for re-surfacing and maintenance and would require the landowner's permission.

'An alternative solution could be to restrict cars entirely along the length of the road with a car park at the Moorgate.'

She said the Duchy proposals 'thus represent a compromise between these two extremes.' It is proposed that car access is allowed during non-firing times along two spurs onto the moor with new parking areas created to facilitate this. The Duchy is proposing to maintain these tracks at its own expense.

The report added that the Loop Road is currently used by recreational users at non-firing times and is suitable for cycling, buggies and all terrain vehicles.

It said: 'A lack of cars will make recreational experiences more enjoyable for all non-car users, increasing the feeling of remoteness and tranquillity.'

It concludes that the Duchy, as landowners, has tried hard to find a balance between appropriate car access, environmental impact, use by the MoD, farmers and commoners, and other recreational users.

'This has not been easy but the proposals put forward are believed to represent the best pragmatic solution for the management of the Loop Road at the present time.'

There may be need for further works, it said, on the ground — such as banking to ensure that cars are directed onto the right tracks and to safe parking areas.

The authority's director of park management recommended that the authority should agree to support the proposals by the Duchy in principle for the future management of the road and authorise officers to continue discussions on the detailed implementation of the proposals.

The issue will be discussed at a meeting of the DNPA at Bovey Tracey tomorrow (Friday).