THE anti-Cycling brigade has moved up a gear in its opposition to New Forest cycle routes.

In October the Forestry Commission's Deputy Surveyor of the New Forest, Mike Seddon, asked the Court of Verderers to consider a three-year permission for a list of extended and improved bike routes.

But at Wednesday's court, Linwood's Immy Bickford-Smith called on the Verderers to reject Mr Seddon's request.

Nationwide promotion of the cycle routes has resulted in "unsustainable numbers of mountain bikers causing unacceptable disturbance to wildlife", she alleged.

"Many bikes are ridden at dangerously high speeds and cannot be stopped from going off route, where they cause considerable erosion."

She claimed it had been impossible for the Forestry Commission to police the routes "let alone control an even greater number of users over an extended network".

More cycle network signs would lead to the "unattractive and unwanted urbanisation of the forest".

"In some villages traffic problems have actually got worse since the introduction of the cycle network as bikes arrive by car.

"Cycling is environmentally-friendly when taking the place of motorised traffic, but not when uncontrolled numbers of mountain bikers are encouraged and directed on to the forest, and in to areas that previously had no vehicular access."

Rick Manley, chairman of the New Forest Commoners' Defence Association, stressed his organisation was not anti-cycling.

However, a minority of cyclists treated the forest with "total disregard" he said.

Brockenhurst commoner Peter Sweet said: "May I suggest that the court now, as last year, gives an extension for just one year until we all see what the new map and behaviour codes propose."

New Forest Cycling Club secretary Geoff Smith was a consultee in the planning of the new route map.

He said responsible cyclists would keep to the waymarked tracks.

"We're trying to keep cyclists off the main roads and use the roadway systems already in place on the forest," he said.

"This is the whole point of the car parks being linked with cycle routes along the forestry tracks. The Forestry have now bitten the bullet and have joined up the various bits."

Following the submissions the court decided to extend permission for cycle routes for one year.

Maps showing the routes should be available to the public by Easter.

First published: November 19