RESIDENTS who use the Island's Greenway Roads have been warned to cause less damage to the routes or face their closure.
That’s the message from Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK who said tight budgets will restrict maintenance work on the tracks.
He said: "Whilst we wish to continue to allow vehicles to use the tracks it is obvious that the present level of usage is causing damage.
"We are carrying out more work to the tracks this winter but with further reductions in budgets next year the amount of maintenance work we can be expected to carry out will be even more restricted.
"We are looking to the users of the tracks, especially the motorcyclists, to seriously consider what they can do to cause less damage. Some examples of the things they need to consider are the routes they take, their style of riding, and the tyres they use.
"It is not completely unforeseeable that we may have to consider closing some of the tracks completely to motor vehicles to prevent further damage if motorcyclists ignore our requests for assistance."
The Department Environment Food and Agriculture, the Department of Infrastructure, and Isle of Man Tourism have joined forces and are working with the Isle of Man Constabulary to ensure that people are fully aware of the restrictions before they go off-road.
They have re-launched a campaign to remind people that Greenway Roads are public highways and as such highway legislation applies to drivers and riders of motor vehicles.
This includes the need for insurance and a driving and vehicle license. Vehicles must also comply with regulations concerning lights, tyres, number plates and noise emissions.
The campaign also advises that driving a motor vehicle off a highway on to open moorland or into adjacent plantations is against the law.
John Shimmin MHK, Minister for Environment Food and Agriculture commented: "We are very grateful to all our partners for their proactive support with this initiative.
"The core message of this campaign is that use of Greenway Roads is subject to some important restrictions for very good reason. Clearly my Department's key interest lies with the protection of the hill land adjacent to many of these Greenway Roads and, to this end, it is essential that the continued co-operation of all Greenway Road user groups is secured.
"These valuable routes can surely only remain open in the long term if they are used responsibly by everyone and everyone stays on the correct route."
Police will be undertaking a number of spot checks on vehicles using the upland tracks during the next few months.
To ensure that all users are fully aware of their rights and responsibilities the Green Lane User Group has published a leaflet entitled The Isle of Man Green Lane Code for Vehicle Users.
Printed copies are available to collect from the Highways Division of the DoI at the Sea Terminal Building. It can also be downloaded via www.gov.im/highways.
