What is said above in criticism of vehicular users is largely complete rubbish. I've been there and done it. The point is not competitive mud-plugging. It is to explore. And to tread lightly. I know for a fact that in the South, where I've walked many a byway and RUPP, and driven with a friend in a WW2 Willys leaving no trace of passage, and worked on the repair parties, the AWDC and the TRF and many of the Landrover clubs are forces for the maintenance of historic rights of way - and I've seen the farmers and loggers doing the damage. I've been over rights of way in Wales and found the ONLY bits that were hard to pass were where farmers left culverts and drainage (ripped out by their tractors) unrepaired.

I used to work closely with one of the local heroines of rights of way - a member of the Ramblers' association and widely respected. Both on footpaths and on higher rights of way. "Goats' hair sock brigade" refers to these who believe suffering is a precondition to enjoying the countryside. There are some ramblers who see that access to the country and exercise of rights of way are not merely for pedestrians and galloping majors.

Just look at the ruts you complain about (which are in fact much easier to walk than unmaintained rights of way and horse swamps) - and see what size they are. No Landrover with 16 inch wheels could make them, not even wearing 9.00x16 tyres.

I don't see why the north should suffer from more idiots. In fact, I don't believe it. But if you do, it's a local phenomenon.

And if you think that roads were not often impassable in the past, you need to read more history.