SIR — It seems your readers are not being enlightened with regard to the correct status of Stone Lane, Exford, and any refurbishment scheme.

Stone Lane is not and never was a bridleway. Historically, it was a "Road Used as a Public Path (RUPP)" which could be used by everyone including motor vehicles.

Under recent legislation, Stone Lane became a "Restricted Byway". A restricted byway has rights of way for walkers, riders, cyclists and any vehicle other than a mechanically propelled vehicle.

The present definition of a non-mechanically propelled vehicle includes not only horse drawn carriages but also electrically assisted devices.

To comply with the classification "restricted byway", 40 miles of track on Exmoor including Stone Lane will need to be levelled, surfaced and/or widened to accommodate horse drawn traffic and other non-mechanically propelled vehicles.

Stoney Lane, Luccombe, Hawkridge Ridge and Kemps Lane, Winsford, are just some of the numerous "restricted byways".

The disabled have been denied access to these tracks since motor vehicles were excluded. They will need track surfaces suited to their conveyances.

The 40 miles of "restricted byway", formerly RUPPs, are part of the 600 miles of rights of way in the Exmoor National Park. The worthies who lobbied to exclude a few motor vehicles from these picturesque and rough tracks may care to reflect.

The same tracks will become 40 miles of levelled, surfaced thoroughfare of adequate dimensions to accommodate all descriptions of non-mechanically propelled vehicle.

The anti off road vehicle campaign trumpeted a great victory in achieving "restricted byway" status for these rights of way.

Hence, any attempt to avoid implementing the "restricted byway" legislation by downgrading to "bridleway" for instance, is certain to provoke vociferous opposition from disabled and horse driving organisations.

Duncan J Waller,

Wheddon Cross.