Letter: New Forest residents are being restricted by authorities

SIR – I write with dismay at the attitude of both Hampshire County Council and the New Forest park authorities.

It would seem all the park authorities are interested in are visitors to the area. The local community are being more and more restricted and corralled into areas the park authorities see fit to allow us to walk.

A typical example is the crossroads between the Naked Man and Burley Rocks where they have now placed dragons' teeth; again, restricting access for those of us that would prefer a quiet walk away from the over-used areas such as Wilverley Plan or Long Slade.

No doubt they will say they are installing the dragons' teeth for health and safety reasons, but by cutting back the overgrown vegetation as they have done on a large section already on the A35, this would provide adequate visibility splays.

I feel it would be of great benefit to have more commoners, and those of us that where actually born in the Forest boundary to be consulted and employed by the Forestry.

Owen Phillips,
Address supplied