This shocking drone footage shows the devastation wreaked on a Huddersfield beauty spot by off road vehicles.
Video taken from the skies shows some of the “irreparable damage” caused by motorbikes and 4x4s around Yateholme, Ramsdens and Brownhill reservoirs, in the Holme Valley.
Captured by a drone hovering above one of the affected areas, in the clip a mass of tyre marks are captured which have turned animal feeding habitats into muddy wastelands now unfit for natural life.
Concerned residents also say stone walls have been broken and car parts littered randomly in the tracks despite attempts by police and others to stop the yobs responsible for the destruction.
Yesterday walker John Hyland spoke to the Examiner in a bid to raise awareness of serious further threats to the countryside.
John, of Upperthong , has been documenting the destruction done by the vehicles over the past few months. He enlisted his friend and photographer James Brook to help record the drone footage to show the extent of some of the damage done.
He says that the off-road vandals are 'intent on destroying the countryside and vital habitats'.
Watch: John Hyland gives tour of some of the shocking damage done by vehicles:
John went on to say that the continued use of vehicles in areas they shouldn't be driving would have an even more devastating impact on the local community and its wildlife.
Officers from the Holme Valley ward's Kirklees off-road bike team have also been regularly patrolling the areas trying to find those responsible.
A police spokesperson said: “Large stone boulders have been placed to try and prevent access but these are being dragged out of the way, thus causing further damage to the ground surface.
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“We are appealing to local residents to be on the lookout for and report these off-roaders who are causing irreparable damage to our countryside, some of which is protected by Natural England.
“Any information regarding the identity of persons or vehicles, please contact us using the 101 Non-Emergency service.”
To find out more about James Brook's photography, see his website at www.yolofoto.com .
