New visitors to Dartmoor need to learn the rules
Lockdown has meant more visitors to the countryside – many coming for the first time. But, as DANIEL CLARK reports, not all of them know how to behave
AVISITOR survey has revealed more than a fifth of people (22%) who visited Dartmoor last summer were first time users – and from more diverse backgrounds than the traditional regular users of the moor.
But, the National Park Authority has heard while that news is positive, extra visitors to the Moor have caused a range of problems, including camping in the wrong location in large groups and causing damage caused by fires, litter and human waste. Motorhomes have been parked overnight on roadsides and cars parked inappropriately, offroad. Visitors have also been cycling where there is no legal right to do so, and there was an increase in threatening behaviour to officers of the Natinal Park Authority.
Two Bridges and Wistman’s Wood, Bellever/Riddon Ridge, Foggingtor Quarry, Roborough Down, Shipley Bridge, the Dart Valley and all river and reservoir sites were named as the sites that were particularly challenging during 2020.
The Authority implemented restrictions under the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985 to ban camping for 28 days at Bellever/Riddon Ridge because of the level of camping and associated damage to the fabric of the common, including concerns about the impact on archaeology, grazing animals and ecology.
A meeting of the authority heard the resources required to implement this were significant, both in officer time and finance. Dartmoor contracted with a private security firm for the provision of National Park Marshalls to help engage and educate the public.
The Park moved away from more educational, softer signage to the larger warning and emergency style yellow signs, with simple but clear advice. These were deployed at car parks and laybys and at heavily used sites - particularly where anti-social behaviour was evident. These signs were more effective, providing the clear message required for any prosecution under the byelaws.
The worst cases of traffic management were at Foggingtor, Shipley Bridge and Two Bridges but other sites included Hexworthy and Meldon reservoir access road.
Traffic cones at Two Bridges were eventually put in place in September 2020 and proved successful in managing dangerous parking on the road.
A programme of verge treatment for Two Bridges, Shipley Bridge, Meldon and Foggingtor to better manage the parking and reduce impact on verges has begun.
Erosion, caused by increased use of the moor, is an issue in some areas and of growing concern to Park Rangers, the meeting heard. Full erosion surveys at a number of areas where they have been notified of damage - Haytor, Roborough Down and the Warren House - are being carried out, in order to focus future erosion budgets more effectively.
In response to the high levels of use and issues being reported by Rangers and communities, the outreach vehicle operated at weekends with a focus on busy sites.
Dartmoor took the opportunity to undertake visitor surveys and this work has been supported by Voluntary Wardens, while regular visits were also made to Two Bridges, Foggingtor and Shipley Bridge as well as Bellever.
Alison Kohler, director of conservation and communities told Authority members about the survey results.
“Although a small sample, it is a useful insight to help with management,” she said “We found that 22% of our visitors were first time visitors, 36% said that Covid restrictions had influenced their reason to visit, there was an increase in younger visitors with over 26% being under 35, compared to 13 %in our last survey.
“The survey has also revealed that many visitors are using Google maps and social media platforms to find out where to go and specifically where to park.”
A visitor management plan for 2021 will focus on communicating key messages, providing a warm welcome, managing traffic flows and parking, and limiting damaging activity.
Mrs Kohler said: “We are aware that we will need to influence people’s decisions and behaviours from the point they decide to visit Dartmoor right the way through to the point that they leave. It will require good pre-visit information; continued real-time information as they make their journey and clear signage and advice once they arrive.
“This will require a mix of good communications, infrastructure and people on the ground to help visitors make the right decisions and to enjoy the National Park responsibly. This Plan is about helping everybody enjoy Dartmoor but in ways, and at times and locations that do not cause harm to the special qualities of the National Park and to local communities and crucially to support local businesses as they re-open and are able to welcome people back.”
She added: “We all agree that the tone should be warm and friendly – we want people to come back and enjoy the National Park, and we want to thank those who are doing the right thing and those who want to. The messaging needs to reflect the unique special qualities of the National Park and why it is important to protect them.
She went on: “Although we want to welcome everybody, we also need to be able to take strong action when needed.”