Concern over increase in damaging off-road trails
National Trust asks bikers to stick to trails
The National Trust is asking mountain bikers and off-road cyclists to stick to official trails, bridleways or Tarmac.
The trust’s beauty spots, including Petworth Park, Lavington Common, Slindon Estate, Woolbeding Gardens, and East Head, remain open to local visitors for exercise during the latest lockdown but they are urged to be mindful of the rare habitats they are in ‘to avoid long term damage’.
“Landscapes are more susceptible to damage at this time of year due to the colder andwetterweather,”aNational Trust spokesman said.
“Excessive erosion to routes doesn’t just leave a visual impact on the landscape it also affects wildlife.
“Once vegetation is lost through erosion, soil and stone can quickly wash off from fragile heathland habitats.”
The National Trust said rangers and volunteers have seen a ‘substantial increase’ in unofficial mountain bike trails in nature reserves and woodlands, following government restrictions on travel during lockdown, including at Hindhead Common, Black Down, Woolbeding Common and Ludshott Common.
The spokesman added: “This is causing the ground to be churned up and compacted, with damage to bluebell woods, heathland heathers and wildflowers, which are key food sources for butterflies. From spring, ground-nesting birds such as nightjar are affected.”
David Elliott, lead ranger for the South Downs West, said the trust wants to do the ‘right thing for everyone who uses and cares for these places’ during lockdown ‘and the wildlife that depends on them’.
He added: “We know how important it is for people to get out in nature for exercise and wellbeing at the moment.
“Equally we are hearing from neighbouring communities in the South Downs and Surrey Hills, who are desperately concerned that new ramps, berms and downhill trails are appearing on heaths and in woodlands.
“In many cases these are SSSIs (Site of Specific Scientific Interest), designated as unique habitats for nature.
“New structures require licensed permission from Natural England so we are obliged in many cases to remove them.”
Mr Elliot said the trust is appealing to local cycling groups and shops for their help in advising people to stick to approved trails and ‘not to condone social media content’ which has been filmed on unofficial downhill tracks or nature reserves.
“The best way to check where you can cycle is by looking at an ordnance survey map and finding the green dashed lines showing a bridleway,” he said.
Visit www.nationaltrust. org.uk for more information about its sites.
Gatwick Airport is set to receive a Government grant worth up to £8million.
The grant, which is part of the Airport and Ground Operators Support Scheme, will help Gatwick – and other commercial airports across England – to cover losses on costs caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, including airfield operations, contracted services such as airfield and runway maintenance, and business rate bills. MP for Crawley Henry Smith welcomed the announcement from Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, which, he said, would help to protect jobs.