| Author | Message | ||
     Donna TROT Member Username: Trot Post Number: 1 Registered: 12-2012 |
Hi My name is Donna and I work for TROT and have just picked up on your conversations! There is a long paper on this but briefly there is a concordat with the BHS and some parts of the Forestry Commission estates do have open access to horses. However the concordat also allows for managing access through partnerships (e.g.., TROT for the South East) where permission systems are run to allow acesss to woodlands for a fee. TROT manage on behalf of the FC, access to woodlands in the South East. Unlike most of England, woodlands in the South East are smaller and heavily used for public recreation and therefore the FC have elected to continue with managed (fee paying)rather than open access. This enables them to have some measure of control of horse riding and driving to control potential damage and avoid user conflict. This also provides environmental benefits, especially in areas where the soil is easily damaged. Permission fees also help to cover the maintenance and management costs as, unlike walkers and cyclists, riders and drivers do not generate signficant car parking or secondary spend income, like having a coffee and cake in the cafe if there is one on site. Phew that was a long explanation! We have FC routes in Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire although not all are suitable for driving. The forests are graded according to length and facilities and the fee is costed accordingly but they go from £45 to £75 per year + £15 deposit for your hatband. You can contact us on 01622 735599/844222 (Monday-Friday 10am-2pm) or e-mail us on info@tollrides.org.uk. We'd love to hear from you and welcome you as a new member! Hope this helps! | ||
| Fiona Powell Member Username: Fionap Post Number: 194 Registered: 03-2007 |
The BHS and the Forestry Commission (England, Wales and Scotland separately, I believe) negotiated a concordat (1998 and later?) allowing all non-commercial horse riders free access to FC land, according to an agreed and published Code of Practice. (My understanding is that the charge for the permit is for "keys".) This is a link to the Welsh concordat, which does mention that the BHS wants carriage drivers to have off-road driving areas... http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/Final2ndreviewforsignatureon1608.pdf | ||
| Martyn Willis Member Username: Martynw Post Number: 44 Registered: 02-2007 |
Here's a question. Why do the forestry commission discriminate against carriage drivers? Here in the New Forest, horse riders, bike riders can ride anywhere for free yet a carriage driver has to pay for a permit? And keep to the gravel paths. Some say its to pay for a key but £91 for a key? | ||
| Caroline Court Member Username: Cazcourt Post Number: 10 Registered: 10-2012 |
Hi, I am very lucky to have 3 separate pieces of forestry commission literally each bring 5 mins down the road and just want to be able to use those bits-which I definitely don't need a map for. I am in Dunsfold in Surrey. Im guessing I will just need to call the forestry commission and hope someone knows what I'm on about!! Thankyou. | ||
| Jenny Bawden Member Username: Fyrecat Post Number: 3 Registered: 11-2012 |
Hi Caroline I'm not sure whereabouts you would like to drive, but if you would like to drive in Thetford Forest or thereabouts, you can contact Nicky Russell. Permits are 1 year £92.86), 9 months £69.99) or 6 months £46.43). If you contact Nicky she will send you an application form. 01842 819081 | 07766 781746 | nicky.russell@forestry.gsi.gov.uk www.forestry.gsi.gov.ukEast of England | Forestry Commission England Santon Downham | Brandon | Suffolk | IP27 0TJ Good luck with your forest drives, it is so spectacular, you will need ord survey map OS Explorer 229 | ||
| Caroline Court Member Username: Cazcourt Post Number: 9 Registered: 10-2012 |
Hello, It's been a while since I dared to drive in forestry but I have once again ventured in. Does anyone know who to contact about getting a permit?Years ago you applied to forestry commission and then I'm sure it became TROT who you had to contact but now I'm not so sure who to contact!! I would need a key as it is all gated. |