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COMMISSION’S CAR PARK CLOSURE CLANGERS (PART TWO) |
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Research by NFDOG has uncovered a series of errors by the Forestry Commission relating to winter car park closures. Although only 25 car parks feature on the closure list, there were no fewer than five mistakes. The first two slips were highlighted in NFDOG’s September 2007 Newsletter. Clayhill and Crockford Clump were included despite an earlier assurance that they would be spared. They were quickly removed from the hit list after protests by NFDOG. Since then, three more errors have been uncovered by NFDOG. • Clayhill was closed, despite the promise to keep it open. • A closure notice went up at Picket Post, even though it was not included on the revised list of winter closures. • Vereley was listed for closure although it was neighbouring Vereley Hill that was eventually barred to users. NFDOG member Val Thorpe was the first to spot that a barrier had gone up at Clayhill. Val, who lives in Burley, immediately alerted NFDOG. Committee member David Dickenson made contact with the Forestry Commission. When he spoke to Head of Recreation Bruce Rothnie hours later the barrier had already been removed. Said Val: “I was very surprised when I saw the barrier. I thought ‘That’s not right’. I had read in the Newsletter that Clayhill was to stay open in winter. “I was pleased to see it re-open because it is very popular with dog walkers. The Forestry Commission obviously doesn’t realise how vigilant NFDOG is.” Another response to the Clayhill saga came from Sway member Janet Doe. In a note to NFDOG, she said: “Well done in connection with keeping Clayhill open this winter! It’s a favourite of ours. We take the horses and Hetty, the dog, for lovely rides from there and now we can do it this winter.” The slip up over Picket Post was uncovered by Ringwood member Nicholas Wareham. He was furious when he spotted a notice saying the car park would close from November 5. “The notice was stapled to a thick post near the litter bin,” he said. “It gave the name of a ranger and so I ‘phoned her and was told that it was a mistake. She said Picket Post had appeared on an old list that had been updated. It would appear the Forestry Commission has communication problems. “ Vereley was included in what Forestry Commission representative Helen Chalk described as the “final car park closure list”. However, The Commission’s Bruce Rothnie later described Vereley as an “interim proposal”, with Vereley Hill eventually sealed off in November. Vereley has stayed open. NFDOG Committee member Steve Panton said; “Five errors out of 25 represents a failure rate of 20%. The most surprising mistake has to be Clayhill. The Forestry Commission had already admitted to NFDOG that it should never have been put on the hit list and apologised for the slip, but still it went ahead and closed it. “NFDOG has consistently opposed winter closures because no convincing case has been made for them. The fact that the Commission cannot implement the closures properly is another compelling reason why it should leave car parks open. Winter is a time when residents should be allowed to enjoy the solitude of all parts of the Forest.” The Recreation Manager for the Commission, Richard Burke, said they were “genuine mistakes” and they had responded quickly when they were discovered. Asked if he thought a series of five errors was a satisfactory performance, he refused to comment. |
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