One of the largest peatland restoration projects in the North of England has been damaged after bikes were unlawfully taken up to Northumberland's highest peak.
Visitors to the peak of the Cheviot, which stands at 815m above sea level, reported the damage on Friday morning, which is said to have set back the conservation work that has been done over the last few years.
The incident has not only damaged heather brash, which was growing on the peatland, but also flagstones on the Pennine Way have been dislodged, meaning there could be a danger to walkers.
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Robert Mayhew, head of conservation and environment at Northumberland National Park Authority, said: " Northumberland National Park Authority officers assessed the recent damage to the Cheviot summit. It appears at least two motorised bikes have unlawfully been taken up Cheviot to where the Cheviot Peat Restoration Project took place over the last few years."
"It is obvious from our site visit that a vehicle may have got stuck and this has resulted in significant churning of the peatland habitat."
The Cheviot Peatland Restoration Project was completed in November, restoring an area roughly the size of 241 football pitches of damaged and eroded peatland habitat. It is hoped that the peatlands will help the fight against climate change by storing carbon, as well as being an eco-system in its own right.
The National Park is already planning a tidy-up action, which will address damage to the area and encourage its full restoration.
Robert continued: "Hearing about this damage will be disheartening to the many volunteers who worked tirelessly on this project – it is no mean feat to walk up Cheviot summit each day for a full day’s work. In time, we will be asking volunteers to once again help us to restore this damage and complete the important peatland restoration work in this nationally recognised SSSI site and Northumberland’s highest peak."
