Racecourse must be respectful to walkers

Following the report in the Chronicle and Somerset Live re: dog walkers being requested to “Keep off the grass” surrounding the racecourse at Lansdown.

It’s not just the dog walkers that are being discouraged from enjoying the open spaces that surround the race track. It’s YOU - the weekend walkers, the family encouraging their children into the great outdoors, the organised walking clubs/groups, the off-road cyclists, some enthusiastic runners, even those training for marathons.

All are now expected to go nearly single file in parts, slipping in the mud, stepping out into traffic and then onto the golf course.

Beware the golf balls and some of the not very welcoming comments from golfers.

There were always pathways; far away from the actual track, within this vast expanse of land which many have enjoyed completely UNCHALLENGED for decades.

No harm was done and less litter was left than from some of the events held on this open space between Prospect Stile and Lansdown Lane.

I’ve even met folk who have merely wanted to get to Kelston Roundhill where their deceased loved ones’ ashes are scattered.

Even if a dog walker does stay on the slippery pathway the dog is obviously going to run free, so should we dare walk on the grass to pick up poo or do we now have to leave it in the “out of bounds” grass?

In spite of their requesting dogs to be on leads, well-behaved dogs with responsible owners will run free, where it is safe to do so!

Sorry racecourse company, you can’t have it both ways! Dog walkers with an ounce of common savvy have never walked the area on a race day nor on the track; in spite of the fact that the newly enforced rules mean you could almost be in touching distance of the racing horses whilst out walking the footpath with or without a dog!

In case any of you are unaware of the new alterations to the public footpath it is now expected that you will walk the entire boundary which, in parts is narrow, already becoming very muddy and slippery. To avoid it, one would have to step onto the race track, that is if a temporary barricade has not already been placed there to obstruct you and there are many of them !

All this “at risk” walking before partaking in a well-earned bevvy at the Charlcombe Inn, which does still welcome you and your ‘K9’ companions.

A S W Comley

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