I, LIKE many other local people, frequently walk on the area around Pound and Long Ash, near Buckland Monachorum.

Recently, there has been a great deal of damage in that area caused by quad bikes. I recognise that farmers need to check on and feed their stock and that the weather has not helped the situation.

A few years ago, however, much was made of the damage caused by wild boar. The damage from the quad bikes, in my opinion, is much worse and it is difficult to walk due to wet and slippery mud in some areas.

Is there any way farmers can reduce the amount of damage caused by quad bikes? How did they manage before these were used?  How long will it  take for the damaged areas to recover?

Perhaps the National Park Warden would take a look and advise farmers on how to reduce the effects of quad bikes to the moorland.

Val Bolitho

Milton Combe.