Anger over yet more damage to Cockfield Fell

AN off-road 4x4 driver who caused damage to a large area of historic land has been condemned by police.

The driver of what is believed to be a green Mitsubishi with a 51 number plate drove on to Cockfield Fell leaving part of it deeply rutted.

This latest incident of illegal driving on the fell took place some time during the weekend of January 13 and 14.

PC Dave Williamson, of Barnard Castle Police, appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

“We need to know the full registration number of the vehicle or who was driving. We are getting a number of these off-road vehicles causing damage to land they should not be going on to,” he said.

In addition to incidents on Cockfield Fell, others have occurred near Staindrop and at Selaby.

In Barnard Castle, there are problems on the Lower Demesnes with drivers doing “doughnuts” and churning up up the turf which has led to proposals for the popular spot to be partly fenced off.

PC Williamson added: “Cockfield Fell is a big area and we will have to work together (with the public) to stop it. There are no cameras on there.

“The fell is a scheduled ancient monument. It is sad someone feels the need to go on there and wreck the land.”

The fell is listed as a monument due to its early industrial connections.

However, in its description, Historic England admits the area suffers from “significant localised problems”.

In addition to illegal 4x4s, this includes fly-tipping at the scar of Haggerleases Quarry.

Cllr Neville Singleton, a member of Cockfield Parish Council, said there was no easy solution.

“What can you say? It’s ridiculous. Unless someone catches them on the fell there is nothing you can do. We have got an ancient monument, but they just don't give a monkey’s. The fell is getting terrible,” he said.

At almost 350 hectares, Cockfield Fell is England's largest scheduled ancient monument. Its rich historic past includes pre-Roman settlement and evidence of industrial use dating back to the 14th century. In 1869, the fell became a regulated pasture, managed by the Fell Reeves.

In a practice which continues today, local stockholders pay a yearly rent to the Fell Reeves for a “stint” which gives them the right to graze their animals on the land.