access update

North West England Forest District is committed to providing the best public access to the land it manages.

To this end we operate a right to roam policy over all the land we manage (except where the terms of our lease prohibit). However we are also committed to making the land we manage as safe as possible. To achieve this we sometimes have to close parts of the forest including roads, permissive and public rights of way to ensure that dangerous operations such as tree felling do not cause injury to visitors.

Where a public right of way needs to be closed this is done through the local planning authority who advertise the proposals in local newspapers and consult local organistations such as the local Ramblers Association. Wherever possible a suitable diversion is identified and signed to allow continued access.

Foresters and Rangers will erect and maintain warning, prohibition and diversion signs to advise visitors of the closed route, alternatives, contacts and expected period of closure.