Gatescarth Pass Permit System.

[sollihull]

Copied and Pasted with Permission

Whilst this is not 'Fording' related, I thought I would post this here so as to reach as many people as possible who go Greenlaning.
I have also posted the following info on the GLASS forum & the Mud Club forum:

First of all, a little background information: Gatescarth Pass is a high fell route in the east of the Lake District National Park. It runs from the northern end at Mardale Head at the head of Haweswater to the southern end at Sadgill in Longsleddale, just north of Kendal.

In order to traverse this route, skilled driving is required in appropriately equipped vehicles and is therefore only suitable for the most experienced drivers. It is paramount that a ‘Tread Lightly’ policy is adhered to in order to minimise the impact of vehicles on this fragile route. It is NOT a route for the novice or less experienced driver. If something goes wrong on this route, it will go wrong in a big way and it would be extremely difficult to recover any vehicle or its occupants if a vehicle went ‘over the edge’.

Anyone who has been lucky enough to have driven this route will know just how steep it is and how tight the numerous hairpin bends are and just how fragile and remote the terrain is.

For a number of years now, following major repair work, there has been a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) in force to control the use of motor vehicles on this route. This TRO allows permit holders to use the route. The route is open to vehicles with permits on one day per month with a maximum of 18 motor cycles in groups of no more than six and 12 4x4’s in groups of no more than four per permit day. The permits issued are only valid for one day. 4x4’s are not permitted during the months of December to March due to the weather conditions on the fell.

This permit system is under constant review and it has been noted that the longer wheelbase vehicles have been struggling on this route without causing damage to the surface. This is mainly due to the fact that some of the bends are simply physically too tight and too steep (with a steep camber) for LWB vehicles to negotiate or that the vehicles are too long for the bends if you want to put it another way. (Remember that this route was originally designed for horse & cart).

I, as a GLASS rep and 4x4 user, have been invited by the National Park to join the Gatescarth Pass Working Group to give advice on how to proceed with a review of the permit system with regards to 4x4 wheelbase limits and a re-write of the guidelines issued to permit holders.

After a meeting with representatives of the National Park and other members of the Gatescarth Pass Working Group on 17th January 2007 the following changes will be implemented and will come into force on 1st April 2007 (the first month that 4x4’s will be allowed back on the Pass after the winter):
• A maximum wheelbase limit of 100 inch will be implemented under the terms of the TRO.
• It will be the responsibility of the permit holders to ensure and prove that their vehicles comply with this limit and that their vehicles are suitable for the conditions to be encountered on the route.
• The latest start time for 4x4’s will be changed from 4pm to 1pm.
• New Guidelines will be drawn up emphasising that this route is only suitable for the most experienced drivers.
• The Guidelines will also comment on the type of vehicles suitable with regard to transmission types (two speed transfer box etc), recovery points, tyre choice and the use of ‘Axle Difflocks’.

Info can be found about Gatescarth Pass permits on the LDNPA website at: Gatescarth Clicky and this will be updated when the new details are finalised.
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Paul de Borde
GLASS Lancs & Cumbria Area Rep.