A BUCKLAND Monachorum woman has started a petition to block vehicles from driving on a ‘green lane’ in the village because of the damage being caused to the land.

Jo Weeks said she is shocked that cars and motorbikes are able to drive on the green lane, which starts at Grenofen and ends near Buckland Monachorum.

She added: ‘I am surely not the only person who is horrified that four-wheel drives and motorbikes are legally allowed to drive on the so-called green lane! This is a very busy part of Roborough Common where, as well as ponies, sheep and cows grazing; there are numerous dogs walked, people riding horses and families enjoying the open space.

‘To me it is the equivalent of allowing cars to drive through the Meadows in Tavistock! This winter, the extremely wet weather has meant that these vehicles have caused a great deal of damage, which is unattractive and upsetting and also means that pushing a pram for example on this track has become impossible!

‘I am concerned about the speed of motorbikes — I have seen them messing about on the track and going fast up and down. In general the 4x4s go reasonably slowly — they have to as they have made it so rutted that going fast is impossible!

‘Motivated by my dismay at this wanton destruction in a national park, I have started a petition to get green lanes re-assessed for suitability for use by motor vehicles. I think they laws allowing them to be used in this way need to be reconsidered.

‘My petition is a nationwide one, although I am trying to publicise it locally too. I hope that it will gain enough signatures that I can both take it to Devon County Council but also maybe Government.’

Anyone interested in signing Jo’s petition can get in touch with her at joanna.weeks7@icloud. com

She added that she was not against farmers driving on the common to check their stock.