SIR — Mr Waller's letter (Free Press September 17) makes precisely the point that I made in a letter of some weeks ago - I am only too aware that horse drawn vehicles have the legal right to use restricted byways.

This is a case of the law not keeping up with modern usage, and in my view it should be changed. 

When this law was made, the main way to transport goods around Exmoor would have been by horse and cart or pack ponies.

But the horse would probably have been a sturdy moorland pony, and the cart a very rough affair bearing no resemblance to modern pony-drawn traps. And invalid carriages were unheard of.

The law is inevitably a very blunt instrument, but this is surely a case where the spirit of the law is more important than the letter of it, for all those of us who care about the peace and tranquillity and wildness of the moor.

If all former RUPPs are surfaced and levelled, how will anyone be able to stop them from being used by all vehicular traffic, including off road vehicles, even though they are not legally allowed to use them?

It would be impossible to police, and such usage would quickly ruin the whole character and nature of Exmoor and destroy the very qualities which most people value about it, and which visitors come here to enjoy, mainly by walking or riding.

Walking and riding are the best way to enjoy Exmoor, although sadly I no longer ride, and we will all reach a stage where we can't do the walking we used to do, but so be it.

I don't want it opened up to traffic or surfaced for invalid carriages just so that I can continue to visit it - I shall accept that there are some things I can't do and be grateful for what I have done in the past.

We simply can't allow the off-roaders to ruin such a precious and fragile place, with its unique ecology.

Lesley Evans,

Bossington Lane,