Let's hope this doesn't happen

Something is wrong?

No mountain biker on a classic piece of forest track, as in the photo above. Is this the future?
I'll keep this short. Never sent an email out like this to our subscribers - so please take it that this is an important one.

Out having fun?

Defra the people looking after this have said public footpaths & bridleways will not be affected. The thing is if you have been on any Forestry Commission land you most likely would not have been on one of these. Most of England forestry areas comes under what is known as "Open Access" - if sold owners will have a legal right to challenge this, and even under this mountain bikes don't have a right to use tracks this is something the Forestry Commission has allowed independently of any law.
The Lakes District has already had a taste of this, with one area on the side of Coniston sold off and the local car park fenced off and shut. Not pretty.

Competing in an event?

For us the worry is areas we typically used in the past, we won't get permission (and we do need permission in England). An example is the recent Sutton Bank Open5 where we tried to contact the owners (2nd largest to FC) about a local piece of forest with tracks through it and they just would not reply. You see there is little in it for them - they see it as easier just not to allow access - multiply this across the country and it's a scary picture.

Facts

OK let's get to some facts here...

• Access: unless willing the new owners of any forest can prevent access to their forest. It is not the case that Open Access rights on foot will be retained or the Forestry Commissions concession to allow Mountain Bikes on their land will pass over.
• Saving Money: it has been suggested that the government can make some serious dosh by selling off the forest. In reality it will cost them more - private owners will be able to avoid a number of taxes as woodlands are exempt from inheritance and capital gains tax. The upshot is it will cost the government considerably more money than it will make.

What to do?

All seems bonkers really and the worry is the decisions are being made by people who don't use or appreciate the forests.

• There is a petition on 38 degrees which has gained some momentum, sign this - it's making people take notice.
• Write an email to your MP asking him or her what their thoughts are? and their take on the facts about access and money highlighted above. You can contact your MP using this link

Right here ends Open Adventure's political broadcast. Hope to see you running and cycling in forests in years to come.

Let's hope this doesn't happen.

John Davies