Impact of bike event on Dales to be assessed

Plans to reduce the impact of an off-road motorcycling event on ancient woodland and archaeological remains in the Yorkshire Dales are to be drawn up.

About 200 riders take part in the Scott Trial, which spans 130km (81 miles) in the Dales and attracts some of the best trail bike riders in the world.

Event organisers had initially wanted either a five-year extension to their planning permission terms, or consent for the trial to continue permanently. But they have now amended their application to ask for temporary consent to keep the event going.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has asked for a conservation management plan alongside any future proposal for the trial to be permanent.

The Scott Trial, which has been run by Richmond Motor Club since 1991, will celebrate its 100th event this October.

The challenging course stretches through Swaledale and Arkengarthdale and passes through protected habitats, and three areas of ancient semi-natural woodland.

It also runs close to numerous archaeological features and scheduled monuments.

Historic England has called for "micro-rerouting" wherever possible, to avoid sensitive features including structural remains, earthworks and unstable spoil heaps.

Ahead of a meeting of its planning committee on Tuesday to discuss the matter, a report by the Park Authority said it wanted a long-term woodland strategy as part of any future application, alongside improved ecological monitoring.

Measures proposed include inspections before and after the event, marking the route every 20 to 30 metres to keep riders away from tree stems, and using signs to keep spectators out of ancient woodland, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.