Drop in visits to Coillte’s forests

THERE has been a significant fall in the number of visitors to Coillte managed forests in County Wicklow, according to the forestry agency.

Coillte carried out a comparison of the number of visitors to its 23 recreational forests nationally in the full week prior to the introduction of the enhanced restrictions, March 21 to March 27, to the number of visitors in the following full week March 28 to April 3.

The figures showed that in County Wicklow there was an 99 per cent reduction in the number of visitors after the enhanced restrictions came into place.

Approximately 50 people visited Coillte’s recreational forests at Glenasmole and the Devil’s Glen between March 28 and April 3 compared to 3,600 recorded the previous week.

Imelda Hurley, Chief Executive of Coillte said, ‘we wish to thank the public for adhering to the restrictions currently in place at Coillte’s recreational forests across the country.

‘We understand this is a challenging time, but by observing the Covid-19 related Government and HSE advice, you are helping to save countless lives. The significant reduction in footfall recorded across our recreational forests is a clear signal that the public are taking their responsibility seriously and protecting our most vulnerable communities.

‘We all have our own part to play and we want to take this opportunity to thank the public for their cooperation so far, and ask that they continue to observe the Government and HSE guidance on Covid-19 including during the upcoming Easter break.’

Coillte managed recreational forests across the county are currently only open to local pedestrians who live within 2 km, while all on-site carparking remains closed due to public health restrictions.