PLANS to make it easier for national park authorities to make traffic orders which could ban 4x4s and other off-road vehicles from green lanes were debated in Parliament this week.

A new clause was added to the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill which will cut the lengthy delays currently facing national parks which wish to enforce traffic regulation orders.

Currently if a national park wishes to impose a traffic regulation order restricting access to a "green lane" it has to negotiate with the local highways authority.

Some authorities, including the Lake District, already have limited highway functions in respect of rights of way which are delegated to them by the highways authority.

The new clause will allow all national parks to implement traffic restriction orders where they feel it is necessary.

The introduction of the new clause has been met with mixed reactions.

Jon Avison, head of park management at the Yorkshire Dales National Park, said the authority was pleased it had been introduced as it would enable members to fulfil their statutory duties.

"We are pleased that the Government discussed this issue and that they have acted on it. We will be considering now how we make use of these powers when they are granted," he added.

However, Geoff Wilson, chairman of the Trails Riders Federation, said he felt the debate in Parliament had been poor and riddled with misinformation, inaccuracies and prejudice.

He said he also believed the powers would be misused in some areas including the Dales.

"I do not see how the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority can use these new powers, when granted, in a fair and balanced manner when it has within its management plan, a statement that says it has a policy of banning recreational use of green lanes by motorised vehicles," he said.

Donna O'Brien, green lanes campaigner at the Council for National Park, said: "This welcome move follows many months of campaigning by CNP. The national parks were created for people to enjoy fresh air and peace and to get away from the ever-present motor car, and not as testing grounds for all-terrain vehicles," she added.

Environment Minister Jim Knight said: "I believe that the national park authorities should have the necessary tools to manage traffic effectively on recreational routes in the national parks.

"This new clause would give the national park authorities powers to make traffic regulation orders in respect of unsealed roads," he added.

However, Mr Knight also pointed out that legitimate sports, like motorcycle trials, would not be affected by the ban.

He said: "The Government have proven supportive of responsible use of motorised vehicles in the countryside, especially in our interpretation of the single payment scheme for farmers, to allow that sort of activity on land being claimed for SPS.

"Although we intend to deal robustly with those who abuse the countryside with motorised vehicles, people who choose to be responsible and use vehicles without damaging the environment should be able to continue to do so," he added.

The new clause will apply to roads in a national park which are shown in a definitive map and statement as:

a byway open to all traffic (BOAT);

a restricted byway;

a bridleway;

a footpath; or

a carriageway whose surface does not consist of concrete, tarmacadam, coated roadstone or other prescribed material.