Forestry Commision Sell Off

[PeterNatt]

The Government's consultation on the future of its forestry estate opened
today. They plan to sell off the forests to raise money and reduce or
remove management costs. The full consultation document can be read here:
http://www.info4local.gov.uk/documents/consultations/1827618

At present, riders in the East of England enjoy access to Forest Enterprise
owned woods free of charge, but in the South of England, they require riders
to buy an annual permit.

We worry that any new owner will introduce permits or close the forests to
riders all together. Walkers enjoy access as of right. The British Horse
Society would like the Government to ensure that established bridleways and
byways through the forests are recorded on the definitive map (and hence
safeguarded from the whims of any future landowner) before any sale. We
would also like the forest land to be dedicated as access land with rights
for equestrians, under the Countrysie and Rights of Way Act 2000. This would
retain free access to forests on horseback (subject to closure possibilities
for a limited number of days per year when operations were needed for
example).

You can help us persuade the Government by responding to the consultation at

http://www.info4local.gov.uk/documents/consultations/1827618
and writing to your MP.

 

[ISHmad]

Thank you for highlighting this, it is such a huge and important issue and would be awful to lose the riding like that.

 

[proctor]

We would be so gutted if we lost our riding in our local forestry. It's 5 mins down the road and perfect hacking. Even if we do have to pay £80 per year to ride in there!!

 

[Tinypony]

Done

 

[BHS_official]

The following is taken from the News section on The British Horse Society website:

Horse riders add their weight to forestry fight​

The UK’s largest equestrian charity, The British Horse Society has pledged its commitment to fight for the future of equestrian access to public forests.

Equestrian access to thousands of acres of England’s forests could be lost if public forests are sold off as part of the Government's efforts to plug the national deficit. A consultation on the future of the public forest estate opened this morning and the Society is urging all equestrians to respond.

As it stands, horse riders have access to just 22 percent of public rights of way and horse-drawn vehicle drivers a mere five percent - therefore the loss of any other safe off-road riding opportunities in our forests would be devastating for equestrians if access is not preserved.

The Society’s Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, Mark Weston, said: “If there is to be a sale of any forest it is important that access for equestrians is secured for future generations before any such sale takes place - if that cannot be assured then we would oppose any sale vigorously.

“Now is the time for riders to make their voices heard. It is important that all equestrians respond to the consultation to ensure that equestrian access to our forests is preserved.”

The Society is urging all riders to join them in their campaign. Anyone who wishes to be kept up-to-date with the Society’s progress should email forestryfight@bhs.org.uk, with the subject title ‘count me in’.

We also support the 38 degrees petition and encourage equestrians, and anyone else who is concerned by the Government's proposals, to sign the petition and make their voice heard.​