Cyclists campaigning for a right-of-way on the North York Moors have been offered a compromise.

Landowners along the former Rosedale Railways line, now disused, which loops across Spaunton Moor and Rosedale Moor, and forks off to Farndale and Bransdale, have offered to licence the 29km route for cycling and walking.

However, it will not be made a public right-of-way and will be subject to conditions imposed by the owners.

The offer comes after a long-running battle, led by Helmsley cyclist Karl Briggs, to establish a right-of-way.

Attempts were made earlier this year by cycle campaigners in Ryedale to get the track made into a byway, which would have set an important legal precedent, had it been successful.

It was claimed that as the route had been used regularly by cyclists since the 1920s, this made it a public right-of-way.

However, local landowners offered the compromise of allowing the track to be used by cyclists and walkers only.

A byway could have been used by horse riders and motorcyclists as well, which will be specifically forbidden under the terms offered by the estate owners.

The route has been used by cyclists for many years, and has been featured in cycling books, despite there being no official right to cycle on it.

Under the proposal, landowners will have the power to close sections without notice, and they also retain the right to ban anyone they choose from using it.

The route can also be closed if drought conditions mean there is a fire risk on the moors.

Peter Gray, secretary of the local branch of the Cyclists' Touring Club, said he was concerned about the restrictive powers landowners could wield over the track.

"We want to be entitled to unrestricted access," he said.

The proposed cycle track is in four sections, from Bank Foot, at Ingleby Greenhow, to Blowath Crossing, from Blowath to Blakey Ridge, from Blakey to Rosedale Chimney Bank, and also, from Blakey to Low Baring, Rosedale East.

The National Park Authority puts the cost of upgrading the old railway site to a cycle track at £213,000, including repairs, drainage, surfacing and putting up new signs.

It is estimated that it will cost £1,000 a year to maintain the route.

National Park Officer David Arnold-Forster said: "Rosedale Railway offers a sustainable route for cycling, provides a memorable experience for recreational cyclists and offers a good strategic link as part of a longer cycle tour."

The landowners' proposal will be voted on at a committee meeting of the National Park Authority on Wednesday.

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